Abstract: A part that is subject to at least a cyclic thermal stimulus is numerically simulated to determine extremum states of stress therein that would be suitable for an associated life cycle test. The assembly of the part in a fixture is then numerically simulated to determine a part holding condition by the fixture, and first and second test rotational speeds of the part and fixture as necessary to create states of stress in the part that are comparable to the extremum states of stress. The part is assembled in the fixture in accordance with the part holding condition, and the fixture and part are rotated in accordance with a control schedule by which the rotational speed thereof is isothermally cycled between the first and second test rotational speeds for a predetermined number of cycles so as to simulate a cyclic stress condition in the part that is representative of a life cycle test.