Fatigue resistant components: what can we learn from Nature?

摘要: The science of biomimetics seeks to gain inspiration from nature for the development new engineering solutions. This article reviews some work done understand fatigue-resistant structures in nature. Evolution has created materials and components which are highly resistant cyclic loading, using a number interesting strategies: (i) careful control geometry minimise stress concentration; (ii) sophisticated use fibre composites taking advantage anisotropy, insertions at joints functional grading, create with no weak interfaces; (iii) hollow, tubular optimised fatigue strength account all possible failure modes, and; (iv) continuous monitoring repair cracks service. In each case an attempt been made quantify potential improvement outline possibilities future transport applications.