Uncertainty of estimated rainflow damage for random loads

One way to assess the uncertainty in fatigue damage analysis is to use a so-called safety index. In the computation of such an index the coefficient of variation for the accumulated damage is needed. Employing the rainflow cycle count method for fatigue damage leads to, in most cases, complicated calculations. Here we present a new and simplified method to estimate the coefficient of variation for the accumulated damage when only one sample path of the load is available. Non-stationary, slowly changing, Gaussian loads are given special attention. The approach is illustrated by means of stationary Gaussian loads with nine different spectra, a measured non-Gaussian load, a skewed load and the wave load accumulated during one year in a “seasonally changing environment”.