Can structures recover from fatigue?

I like cycling. When the weather is fine (or not so fine) I really like to make a nice tour through the countryside. Sometimes easy going, but sometimes it will be a real work-out. So after the ride I’ll have a nice beer and a good rest. And next morning I’m fully recovered!

Does that work for my bicycle?

You could always try to give your bicycle a good rest as well. Unfortunately, fatigue in metallic structures is irreversible. Once a crack is initiated, it will not heal anymore. So my bicycle will not recover from a bumpy ride just be sleeping.

Is that bad?

Not necessarily. Despite of not recovering, my bicycle may still be able to reach a reputable age. How? Well, avoiding fatigue in a structure starts with a good design. But what do we need for a good design. In short: we need knowledge and experience. It takes time to obtain this. To speed this up, we might help you. Just look and see how…..

Do you want to know more about fatigue?

Have a look at the Fatec Academy. Or subscribe to our newsletter and we will keep you informed about fatigue and Fatec Engineering.