Lastdauer

Lastdauer is a German term that translates to “load duration.” In technical usage it denotes the length of time a specified load is applied to a component, structure, or system. The concept is used to describe the temporal extent of loading events and is often considered alongside the load’s magnitude. It is central to durability assessment, fatigue analysis, and reliability design, because damage and wear depend not only on peak values but also on how long those loads persist.

In structural engineering, Lastdauer influences fatigue life calculations and design decisions. Short, high-magnitude loads can produce different fatigue effects than longer, moderate loads, even when peak forces are similar. The duration of loading is therefore considered when determining allowable stresses and safety margins, and it is often incorporated into time-history analyses and damage accumulation models.

In energy and power systems, Lastdauer relates to the construction of load duration curves, which sort demand by how long it persists. These curves help with capacity planning, reliability assessment, and operational strategies such as peak shaving, by summarizing the temporal structure of demand and highlighting hours of sustained loading.

Measurement and representation typically rely on time-series load data. By tallying how long the load remains at or above certain levels, engineers can produce duration distributions, curves, or histograms. Lastdauer is distinct from Lebensdauer (the component’s service life), though both concepts influence lifetime planning and maintenance scheduling.

See also: load profile, duty cycle, fatigue life, Lebensdauer.