Using the Fourier Methods for Cycle Counting of Bimodal Stress Histories with Variable in Time Amplitudes of Components

The application of the Fourier methods to perform cycle identification and description for different cases of bimodal stress histories are presented and discussed in the paper. The direct spectral method and the modified direct spectral method, previously co-proposed by the author, together with the aspects of the use of Fourier methods discussed in this article, offer a unique alternative to the methods known in the literature for identifying and counting various types of bimodal stress variations in time (with constant or variable amplitudes; completely reversed, reversal, or pulsed type). The application of the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and the Short-Time Fourier Transform (STFT) is discussed. The method is useful, especially in cases when it is known that due to the form of work of the mechanical system the two existing components of vibrations with various frequencies can be identified, of which the one with higher frequency has a vibration amplitude lower than a component with a lower frequency and, above all, a variable in time.