Simple approximations of the Rain-Flow-Cycle distribution for discretized random loads

Abstract We present a simple approximation of the Rain-Flow-Cycle (RFC) distribution for an ergodic random load. The algorithm is based on a discrete Markov chain approximation of the local maxima and minima in the load process. The RFC-distribution is obtained as a solution of a linear equation system. To use this method one needs to know only the transition probabilities from local maxima to local minima, and these can be obtained from observed load sequences.