The strength of fillet welds under longitudinal and transverse shear: a paradox
Fillet welds loaded only by transverse forces exhibit considerably greater strength than those loaded only by longitudinal forces. Current design standards in North America generally base the strength on the minimum value obtained in the longitudinal direction and consider that the strength is independent of the direction of loading. These standards require as well, that fillet welds loaded simultaneously by both longitudinal and transverse components be designed such that the vector sum of the components does not exceed the longitudinal strength. Experimental data, although limited, indicate that this vector approach is very conservative. Some standards do allow an ultimate strength analysis, although the method is not given. The transverse strength of fillet welds is about 1.45 times the longitudinal strength, and for angles of loading of up to 45° from the longitudinal axis, welds with transverse components have longitudinal capacities in excess of the longitudinal strength. Based on available test data, two alternative interaction relationships are proposed for the design of fillet welds loaded simultaneously by longitudinal and transverse forces. Key words: connections, design, fillet welds, longitudinal strength, transverse strength, steel.