Patent ID: 7694575

Claim:
A method for at least one of influencing mechanical load-bearing capability and loading of an element comprising: detecting at least one load correlated characteristic of the element; determining a loading state of the element on a basis of the at least one detected characteristic; assessing the loading state of the element by determining a dimension which describes a load-bearing capability of the element, where the element would suffer a local or global irreversible damage if the capability is reached or exceeded due to an excessive load application to the element; and generating at least one signal on a basis of the assessment of the loading state and on a basis of at least one target function, for at least optimizing a lifetime of the element, wherein at least one signal is sent to at least one actuator, which is integrated within the element or is applied to the element, to activate the at least one actuator for influencing the loading state, so that the element experiences loading or load relief comprising additional stiffening or higher elasticity, in at least one known region exposed to the excessive load application to the element, and wherein the at least one signal for activating the at least one actuator causes a dimension representing the load-bearing capability of the element to be optimized on a basis of the at least one target function.