A plain linear rule for fatigue analysis under natural loading considering the coupled fatigue and corrosion effect

Fatigue under variable amplitude loading is currently assessed by applying the Palmgren-Miner linear rule in structural standards. However, this linear rule is inadequate in natural scenarios with coupled fatigue and corrosion effects, because the coupled corrosion-fatigue process synergistically accelerates deterioration. In view of the absence of specifications for the coupled fatigue-corrosion effect in structural standards, the objective here is to develop a simple and practical correction factor that will ensure a conservative linear summation of damage, taking the corrosion-fatigue effect into account. The theoretical consistency and the feasibility of the new adapted rule are tested in a case study.