Skip to content
Back to glossary
MechanicalMay 9, 2026|3 min read

Fatigue

Fatigue is a core engineering term. Definition, usage notes, and a practical example.

Definition

Fatigue is crack initiation and growth under repeated loads.

Why it matters

Parts that are safe statically can still fail under cyclic loading.

How it is used

In a design check, first define the relevant load, dimension, material, or flow condition. Then interpret this term by its role in the formula and compare it with limits.

Example

Alternating bending stress in a rotating shaft requires fatigue review.

Formulas

No formulas added for this term.