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Ansys Learning Forum Forums Discuss Simulation General Mechanical FEA Fatigue Analysis with sinusoidal non-zero mean force inputs Reply To: FEA Fatigue Analysis with sinusoidal non-zero mean force inputs

Kaushal Vadnere
Ansys Employee

Hi Ben, 
The load that you are applying to structure, represents one loading cycle right? So, in the life, the value you are getting is equivalent to 1e06 cycles (does not necessarily mean 1e06 seconds or minutes or days, etc.) For example, if the load history represents one month of loading in one cycle, and the life found is arount 120, the expected model life would be 120 months. In addition, for this case, the application imposes a limit of 1e06 cycles if the Linear S-N curve definition is used. Hence, as a general rule, if your model has a life of 1e06 cycles, it suggests infinite life. 
You can refer to these articles in ansys help document for fatigue analysis: 19.11.5. Fatigue Results (ansys.com), 19.11.4. Fatigue Analysis Application (ansys.com)

Let me know if this answers your question.

To learn few tips and tricks about fatigue analysis, you can refer to this free tidbit from Ansys: Topics in Fatigue Analysis in Ansys Mechanical - Innovation Space. 
Also, if you have ALH subscription, you can refer to 'Durability' learning room in structures building: Structures - Ansys Learning Hub

Thanks!