User defined SiF sometimes not included in Fatigue Analysis?

Hi,

I have been doing a fatigue analysis using Caesar 5.10 and found an issue with the SIF.

I have entered the a user defined SiF at each node number where a weld will be. I identified the SIF twice for each weld node number; once at the upstream element, and once at the downstream element.

In the Stresses Extended output report, I noticed that the SIF is not always included in the calculation of the Max Stress Intensity which is used to calculate the fatigue lifetime.

I noticed this once I made a minor change to one of the elements (including a 10 mm slope to a straight run of pipe) after which the SIF all of a sudden was included (and the fatigue analysis failed).

Is this a known issue, or is there something I should be doing differently?

Thanks for your tips.

That just doesn' sound right. Can you send the job in to TechSupport so we can look at it?