How to Do Fatigue Analysis in SolidWorks: Step-by-Step Guide

To perform fatigue analysis in SolidWorks, first prepare your model and apply loads and fixtures in the Simulation add-in. Then, use the Fatigue Study feature to define material fatigue properties and loading cycles, and run the analysis to see the predicted life and damage results.

Syntax

Fatigue analysis in SolidWorks follows these main steps:

• Prepare Model: Ensure your 3D model is complete and ready for simulation.
• Activate Simulation Add-in: Enable the Simulation tool from the Add-ins menu.
• Create Fatigue Study: Select New Study and choose Fatigue as the study type.
• Apply Fixtures and Loads: Define how the model is fixed and what forces or pressures it experiences.
• Define Fatigue Parameters: Set material fatigue properties, loading types (e.g., constant amplitude, variable amplitude), and cycles.
• Run Analysis: Compute the fatigue life and damage results.
• Review Results: Examine life, damage, and safety factor plots.

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Activate Simulation Add-in -> New Study -> Select Fatigue Study -> Apply Fixtures and Loads -> Define Fatigue Parameters -> Run -> Review Results

Example

This example shows how to set up a simple fatigue analysis on a bracket model subjected to cyclic loading.

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1. Open your bracket model in SolidWorks.
2. Go to Tools > Add-Ins and enable SolidWorks Simulation.
3. Click Simulation tab > New Study > select Fatigue Study.
4. Apply fixed geometry on mounting holes.
5. Apply cyclic force load on the bracket arm.
6. In Fatigue Study properties, select material with fatigue data (e.g., Aluminum 6061).
7. Set loading type to 'Reversed' with 10000 cycles.
8. Run the study.
9. View fatigue life and damage plots in the results section.

Output

Fatigue life plot shows areas with lowest cycle life; damage plot highlights critical regions prone to failure.

Common Pitfalls

• Not enabling the Simulation add-in before starting the study.
• Applying incorrect or incomplete fixtures and loads, leading to unrealistic results.
• Using a material without fatigue properties defined, which prevents fatigue calculations.
• Ignoring the type of loading cycles (constant vs variable amplitude) which affects accuracy.
• Running fatigue analysis without a prior static study to ensure stress results are valid.

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Wrong way:
- Start fatigue study without static study.
- Use generic material without fatigue data.

Right way:
- Run static study first to validate stresses.
- Use material with fatigue properties.
- Define correct loading cycles.

Quick Reference

Step	Action	Notes
1	Enable Simulation Add-in	Tools > Add-Ins > Check SolidWorks Simulation
2	Create Fatigue Study	Simulation tab > New Study > Fatigue
3	Apply Fixtures	Fix geometry to simulate constraints
4	Apply Loads	Define cyclic forces or pressures
5	Set Fatigue Parameters	Material, loading type, cycles
6	Run Analysis	Compute fatigue life and damage
7	Review Results	Check life, damage, and safety factors

Key Takeaways

Always enable the SolidWorks Simulation add-in before starting fatigue analysis.

Run a static study first to validate stress results before fatigue analysis.

Use materials with defined fatigue properties for accurate life predictions.

Apply correct fixtures and cyclic loads to simulate real-world conditions.

Review fatigue life and damage plots carefully to identify critical failure areas.