A Probabilistic Fatigue Model for Quasi-Brittle Materials

Abstract- We aim to develop a new fatigue model valid for quasi-brittle materials like concrete, which properties have considerably larger standard deviation than metals. Having this in mind, we fit the measured strength data with a three-parameter Weibull cumulative distribution function and in turn take it as the initial distribution for an asymptotic fatigue model in concrete. We also take into account the observed influence of frequency and stress ratio on the fatigue life in concrete, both plain and reinforced with fibers. The developed model is validated against fatigue tests in compression on cubic specimens for different stress ratios and loading frequencies. The secondary strain rate is also found to be correlational with the number of cycles to failure. Index Terms- Fatigue, frequency effect, probabilistic model, secondary strain rat