Theory and methods for evaluation of microstructural fatigue damage

微结构损伤累积阶段通常消耗结构总疲劳寿命的很大一部分。然而，它的渐进式评估超出了目前用于保持结构完整性和防止疲劳失效的安全检查技术的范围。该项目旨在通过开发与疲劳损伤相关的材料性能测量的创新方法来填补这一空白，并建立一种将这些性能与结构剩余寿命联系起来的新理论。项目成果将促进预测性维护战略的全球趋势，从而产生巨大的成本效益，特别是对高价值资产和老化的基础设施。

The microstructural damage accumulation stage often consumes a significant portion of the total fatigue life of structures. However, its progressive evaluation is beyond the reach of safety inspection techniques which are currently employed to maintain structural integrity and prevent fatigue failures. This project aims to fill this gap by developing innovative methods for the measurement of material properties related to fatigue damage and establishing a new theory which links these properties to the remaining life of the structure. The project outcomes will facilitate the global trend towards predictive maintenance strategies, thereby generating substantial cost benefits, specifically, for high-value assets and ageing infrastructure.