3. Fatigue testing methods

The principles of fatigue verification are set out in clause 3 of NF EN 1993-1-9. This clause proposes two methods for carrying out this verification, depending on the feasibility (from a technical and economic point of view) of fatigue inspections (searching for possible cracks):

• safe life method, i.e. :

  • if inaccessible for fatigue inspection,

  • when there is no reason to do so;

• damage tolerance method, the prerequisite for which is the development of a fatigue inspection program.