Efficient and systematic design methods are indispensable aids on the way to effective lightweight solutions. In this article. the necessity of providing the product developer with a design method for the design of endless fibre-reinforced plastic [FRP] components to fulfil fatigue requirements is highlighted. Existing damage models and test methods could be used and extended within such approaches. A suitable method should take into account particularly the variety of requirements for FRP components and consider other influences. e.g. from multi-layer composite design or load introduction. preferably supported by CAE tools. The simple applicability of an effective approach should be demonstrated both on test specimens and on demonstrator components.
