SEDL / STP / STP1060-EB / STP23445S

Theoretical and Experimental Analyses of Surface Fatigue Cracks in Weldments

Niu, X
Research assistant, University College London, London,

Glinka, G
Associate professor, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario

Pages: 24    Published: Jan 1990

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Abstract

The stress-intensity factor for a semi-elliptical surface crack in T-butt welded joints has been studied by using the weight function approach. The weight functions for cracks in welded joints have been derived by employing the method proposed by Petroski-Achenbach. The calculated stress-intensity factors were compared with those obtained from the variable-amplitude fatigue tests conducted on a series of T-butt welded joints. It has been shown that the weight functions provided sufficiently accurate solutions, in terms of the agreement between the calculated and measured stress-intensity factors and fatigue crack propagation lives. The method proved to be useful in studying weld plate thickness and weld geometry effects on fatigue crack growth in welded joints.