Loads and Overloads - Their Effect on Product Life

Product design engineers have the responsibility for developing a product yielding satisfactory life for some given duty, at a reasonable cost. In the absence of an immediate failure, a product is many times subjected to loading which exceeds the design parameters, resulting in unanticipated short life and possibly poor product acceptance. Often, the ultimate user of a product, with little knowledge of the extensive effects of overloading, justifies this practice with false economics. It is the purpose of this paper to illustrate the relationship of loading to product life. With this basic understanding, it is hoped that products will be used more effectively and not abused.