Which of the following is not a recommended method of cyclic loading improvement?

Cyclic loading improvement methods are designed to enhance the fatigue resistance of materials, particularly in welded components. These methods address stress concentration points that can initiate failures under repeated loading.

Toe grinding is a process that modifies the geometry of the weld toe, which can help to reduce stress concentrations and improve fatigue life. By smoothing out sharp corners, this method allows for a gradual transition between the weld and the base material, minimizing the risk of crack initiation.

Shot peening is another effective technique where small, hard particles are bombarded onto the surface of the material. This introduces compressive residual stresses, which counteract the tensile stresses that occur during cyclic loading, thus enhancing the fatigue strength of the welds.

Heat treatment involves processes such as annealing or aging, which can relieve residual stresses and improve material properties. It is commonly employed to enhance the microstructure, leading to improved strength and ductility, making it less prone to failures under repetitive loading conditions.

Incremental loading, on the other hand, is not a method aimed at cyclic loading improvement. While it may be a part of testing frameworks to evaluate material behavior or fatigue limits, it does not specifically enhance the performance or fatigue resistance of welded structures in the same way as the other methods listed. Instead,