1. Rotate the loading history 90° such that the time axis is vertically downward and the load time history resembles a pagoda roof.
2. Imagine a flow of rain starting at each successive extremum point.
3. Define a loading reversal (half-cycle) by allowing each rainflow to continue to drip down these roofs until:
a. It falls opposite a larger maximum (or smaller minimum) point.
b. It meets a previous flow falling from above. c. It falls below the roof.
4. Identify each hysteresis loop (cycle) by pairing up the same counted reversals.