2010 SECTION VIII, DIVISION 2
5-77
b) The sequence of events during the operation life, if applicable.
c) Applicable loadings such as pressure, temperature, supplemental loads such as weight, support
displacements, and nozzle reaction loadings.
d) The relationship between the applied loadings during the time history.
5.B.4 Cycle Counting Using the Rainflow Method
5.B.4.1 The Rainflow Cycle Counting Method (ASTM Standard No. E1049) is recommended to determine the
time points representing individual cycles for the case of situations where the variation in time of loading,
stress, or strain can be represented by a single parameter. This cycle counting method is not applicable for
non-proportional loading. Cycles counted with the Rainflow Method correspond to closed stress-strain
hysteresis loops, with each loop representing a cycle.
5.B.4.2 Recommended Procedure
a) STEP 1 – Determine the sequence of peaks and valleys in the loading histogram. If multiple loadings
are applied, it may be necessary to determine the sequence of peaks and valleys using a stress
histogram. If the sequence of events is unknown, the worst case sequence should be chosen.
b) STEP 2 – Re-order the loading histogram to start and end at either the highest peak or lowest valley, so
that only full cycles are counted. Determine the sequence of peaks and valleys in the loading history. Let
denote the range under consideration, and let Y denote the previous range adjacent to
.
c) STEP 3 – Read the next peak or valley. If out of data, go to STEP 8.
d) STEP 4 – If there are less than 3 points, go to STEP 3; If not, form ranges X and Y using the three most
recent peaks and valleys that have not been discarded.
e) STEP 5 – Compare the absolute values of ranges X and Y.
1) If
Y< go to STEP 3
2) If
Y≥
go to STEP 6
f) STEP 6 – Count range
Y as one cycle; discard the peak and valley of Y . Record the time points and
loadings or component stresses, as applicable, at the starting and ending time points of the cycle.
g) STEP 7 – Return to STEP 4 and repeat STEPs 4 to 6 until no more time points with stress reversals
remain.
h) STEP 8 – Using the data recorded for the counted cycles perform fatigue assessment in accordance with
Part 5.
5.B.5 Cycle Counting Using Max-Min Cycle Counting Method
5.B.5.1 Overview
The Max-Min Cycle Counting Method is recommended to determine the time points representing individual
cycles for the case of non-proportional loading. The cycle counting is performed by first constructing the
largest possible cycle, using the highest peak and lowest valley, followed by the second largest cycle, etc.,
until all peak counts are used.
5.B.5.2 Recommended Procedure
a) STEP 1 – Determine the sequence of peaks and valleys in the loading history. If some events are
known to follow each other, group them together but otherwise arrange the random events in any order.