This paper describes the method of operation and load control in research stands designed, constructed, produced and used in the Opole University of Technology for fatigue tests under cyclic bending, torsion, and a proportional combination of cyclic bending and torsion. All presented stands base on the same structure, however different drive systems allows performing tests with controlled amplitudes of load.

The paper presents an algorithm for calculating the fatigue life of S355J0 steel specimens subjected to cyclic bending, cyclic torsion, and a combination of bending and torsion using mean stress values. The method of transforming cycle amplitudes with a non-zero mean value into fatigue equivalent cycles with increased amplitude and zero mean value was used. Commonly known and used transformation dependencies were used and a new model of the impact of the mean stress value on the fatigue life of the material was proposed. The life calculated based on the proposed algorithm was compared with the experimental life. It has been shown that the proposed model finds the widest application in the load cases studied, giving good compliance of the calculation results with the experimental results.

The paper contains the results of fatigue tests of smooth and notched specimens made of 10HNAP (S355J2G1W) subjected to proportional cyclic loading with use of mean values stress. The results obtained for specimens under bending, torsion and one combination of bending with torsion for four mean values have been compared. The experimental data have been collected in the tables and shown in the figures with use of various σ_a(τ_a)-N fatigue characteristics for which parameters of the regression equations have been determined. The influence of average values on the allowable stress amplitudes and amplitude of moments at the level close to the fatigue limit depending on the angle α determining loading combination and the average stress is also shown. The greatest effect of the notch on fatigue life compared to smooth specimens is observed at symmetrical loads. At unsymmetrical loads with non-zero mean stress, this effect clearly weakens or disappears.

The paper reports on the results of a comparison involving mathematical models applied for fatigue life calculations where the mean load value is taken into account. Several models based on the critical plane approach and energy density parameter were tested and analyzed. A fatigue test results for three types of materials are presented in this paper. The specimens were subjected to bending, torsion and a combination of bending with torsion with mean value of the load. Analysis of the calculation results show that the best fatigue life estimations are obtained by using models that are sensitive to the changes of material behavior under fatigue loading in relation to the specified number of cycles of the load.

The paper presents a definition of a new energy based parameter which allows to better describe fatigue proprieties of materials, especially cyclically unstable materials in comparison with the Lagoda-Macha parameter. The proposed parameter distinguishes positive and negative work of external force and depends on the sign of the stresses in paths of strain in materials. It is used in laboratory tests for control of a fatigue process on hydraulic stand. A close-loop control system has been equipped with computer program based on MATLAB/Simulink module.