A general method for defining the number of cycles of repeated loading

In geotechnical engineering designs and safety checks, the number of cycles of repeated loading N is frequently used as a parameter for calculating the response of soil structures under the repeated loading. However, there appears to be a lack of rational methods for calculating N for repeated loadings along general stress paths. A new method for defining N is proposed in this paper, based on the assumption that a yield surface may be identified for the material. It is demonstrated that the proposed method provides a rational and useful means for engineering calculation of soil deformations under repeated loadings.