Fatigue of plain concrete in compression under varying sequences of two-level programme loading

Abstract An account is given of a series of fatigue tests on concrete in compression using two levels of cyclic stress in one-, two- and four-step programmes. The results are discussed in relation to data obtained by two other laboratories. The Palmgren-Miner hypothesis is found to be generally conservative for specimens tested dry but both the fatigue strength and the Miner number are significantly lower for specimens tested under water. There is also evidence that the Miner number may be reduced when a high stress occurs early in the loading programme.