scholarly journals NUMERICAL METHODS FOR THE FATIGUE ASSESSMENT OF WELDED JOINTS: INFLUENCE OF MISALIGNMENT AND GEOMETRIC WELD IMPERFECTIONS

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas TARAS ◽  
Harald UNTERWEGER
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Methods ◽  
Welded Joints ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Nominal Stress ◽  
Geometric Imperfections ◽  
Hot Spot Stress ◽  
Notch Stress ◽  
Effective Notch Stress ◽  
Nominal Stress Approach

The fatigue design life of welded joints in steel structures is increasingly assessed by using numerical models and methods, such as the structural (hot-spot) stress method and the effective notch stress method. When compared to the classical design approach using nominal stress S-N design curves, these methods offer the advantage of flexibility and a wider scope of application. However, a number of questions arise when these methods are used to assess geometrically "imperfect" welded joints, such as joints with plate misalignments or excessive weld convexity or concavity. In these cases, the classical S-N curves are known to cover imperfections up to the common tolerance classes for fatigue-prone welded joints (e.g. in accordance with ISO 5817 class B). For the numerical methods, differing and conflicting recommendations exist on how to account for the geometric imperfections in the welded joints, with little or no background to these recommendations available. In this paper, a study is presented in which two standard welded joints (butt welds between plates of equal and unequal thickness; T-joints with fillet welds) are analysed with the help of the structural (hot-spot) stress and the effective notch stress approach, considering various levels of geometric imperfection up to the tolerance limits, and the resulting fatigue life predictions are compared to test results from the literature and the nominal stress approach predictions. Since the nominal stress approach curves are based on reliable statistical data and desired survival probabilities for these known, standard cases, this methodology allows one to determine the correct application of the numerical methods to cases with geometric imperfections. This information may be used for a pertinent refinement of design recommendations for these methods, as well as for cases where these methods are applied to fitness-for-purpose assessments - e.g. because the nominal stress approach is not applicable.

Assessment of Weld Fatigue by Effective Notch Stress Approach

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Majid Anvari ◽  
Øyvind Fagnastøl ◽  
Bernt J. Leira
Keyword(s):  
Linear Relation ◽  
Welded Joint ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Nominal Stress ◽  
Notch Stress ◽  
Nonlinear Relation ◽  
Effective Notch Stress ◽  
Weld Fatigue ◽  
Weld Root ◽  
Nominal Stress Approach

Applicability of different approaches, i.e. nominal stress-, structural hot spot- and effective notch stress approach, for fatigue assessment of welded structures has been discussed. The effective notch stress approach was validated for a cruciform fillet welded and fully penetration welded joint, according to DNV guideline [1]. The same fillet welded joint was further investigated for varying weld sizes. The results show that with changing weld size, there are considerable differences between calculated stresses, and specially calculated fatigue lives, when comparing with nominal stress approach. Further investigations revealed that there is a nonlinear relation between effective notch stress and weld sizes, while comparison of the notch stress and nominal stress approaches indicate that a linear relation is to be expected. Based on the established methodology for the cruciform joint, another joint, i.e. a knee plate located in a horizontal brace of a drilling vessel, was assessed for weld root fatigue. Based on the proposed equations and the linear relation found between the nominal- and the notch stress S-N curves, a weld size providing a longer fatigue life at the weld root, rather than that at the toe, was proposed.

Qualification of the Notch Stress Approach for the Fatigue Assessment of Welded Pressure Equipment and Power Plant Components

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jürgen Rudolph ◽  
Ralf Trieglaff ◽  
René Stößlein ◽  
Fabian Hauser
Keyword(s):  
Test Data ◽  
Welded Joints ◽  
Low Cycle Fatigue ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Pressure Vessels ◽  
Assessment Procedure ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Hot Spot Stress ◽  
Fatigue Assessment ◽  
Notch Stress

The fatigue assessment of welded joints in different engineering disciplines is usually based on nominal, structural or notch stresses on one hand (elastic concept using component fatigue curves of load controlled test data) and local strains on the other hand (elasto-plastic concept using material fatigue curves of strain-controlled push-pull test data of un-notched and polished standard specimens). The concepts of the first mentioned group are implemented in widespread standards and recommendations such as [1] to [3]. The fatigue assessment procedure of the European standard for unfired pressure vessels (EN 13445-3, Clause 17 & 18 and related annexes) [4] is currently under revision with one focus on the elaboration of user friendly fatigue assessment options for welded components [5]. The current state of the art focuses on the application of an adapted structural hot spot stress approach to the fatigue assessment of welded pressure equipment [5]. Although this is a significant step forward, the implementation of a notch stress approach can furtherly increase the fatigue assessment options by detailed weld seam analysis. The paper focuses on respective methodological proposals and application examples of typical welded joints. The finite element analysis as part of the procedure has to be harmonized with the requirements of the assessment procedure. Of course, the compatibility of the hot spot stress approach and a notch stress approach has to be guaranteed for individual examples. The direct comparison of the different approaches allows for a qualitative evaluation of methods. The application of an appropriate master fatigue curve FAT100 and the limitations with regard of stress/strain ranges in the low cycle fatigue (LCF) regime as well as the fatigue assessment of welded joints with mild weld toe notches is the subject of special considerations. The latest recommendations of German Welding Society (DVS) [6] constitute a reference for the last two subjects raised.

Criteria for Fatigue Failure of Materials: Application in Fatigue Assessment of Structures

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Sergei Petinov ◽  
Ruslan Guchinsky
Keyword(s):  
Fatigue Failure ◽  
Strain Energy ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Inelastic Strain ◽  
Fatigue Properties ◽  
Hot Spot Stress ◽  
Fatigue Assessment ◽  
Notch Stress ◽  
Assessment Procedures ◽  
Nominal Stress Approach

Presently in rules for fatigue assessment of structures subjected to intensive alternating service loading the Stress-Life (S-N) criteria are recommended in versions of the Nominal stress approach, Hot-spot stress and Notch-stress approach based on using the stress range a representative of the current damage. The criteria and approaches provide assessment of fatigue properties of structures accompanied with a series of approximations and uncertainties. A physically and mechanically more correct procedures might be provided by the Strain-life and Inelastic strain energy criteria for fatigue failure and approaches, although specific with intrinsic sources of approximations. The nature of approximations in the approaches is briefly commented and feasible means of improvement the fatigue assessment procedures and applications are presented.

Probabilistic S-N Fatigue Assessment Methods for Welded Joints in Offshore Structures

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Muhammed ◽  
A. Stacey
Keyword(s):  
Welded Joints ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Offshore Structures ◽  
Assessment Methods ◽  
Nominal Stress ◽  
Stress Range ◽  
Hot Spot Stress ◽  
Fatigue Assessment ◽  
Jacket Structures ◽  
Stress Estimation

A study of probabilistic fatigue assessment methods for offshore structures confirmed that fatigue life predictions for offshore welded joints is dominated by uncertainties in hot spot stress estimation, arising from uncertainties in nominal stress and stress concentration factors. Analysis of data from previous fatigue studies on North Sea jacket structures conducted in the late 1980s suggests that nominal stresses are, in general, overestimated by about 30% and the COV of the bias is about 0.35. The study demonstrated that in-service fatigue failure probability is not only dependent on the COV but also on the median bias of the nominal stress range. A number of nominal stress COVs are recommended with associated median values for general offshore application. Distributions are also suggested for other variables such as Miner’s damage sum and the S-N design curve coefficients. Methods based on long-term stress range distribution with random parameters to cater for uncertainties in stress estimation are described and example calculations are given.

scholarly journals Generalized SCF Formula of Out-Of-Plane Gusset Welded Joints and Assessment of Fatigue Life Extension by Additional Weld

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1249
Author(s):  
Yixun Wang ◽  
Yuxiao Luo ◽  
Yuki Kotani ◽  
Seiichiro Tsutsumi
Keyword(s):  
Fatigue Life ◽  
Fatigue Resistance ◽  
Welded Joints ◽  
Life Extension ◽  
Leg Length ◽  
Notch Stress ◽  
Out Of Plane ◽  
Weld Toe ◽  
Effective Notch Stress ◽  
Geometric Effects

The existing S-N curves by effective notch stress to assess the fatigue life of gusset welded joints can result in reduced accuracy due to the oversimplification of bead geometries. The present work proposes the parametric formulae of stress concentration factor (SCF) for as-welded gusset joints based on the spline model, by which the effective notch stress can be accurately calculated for fatigue resistance assessment. The spline model is also modified to make it applicable to the additional weld. The fatigue resistance of as-welded and additional-welded specimens is assessed considering the geometric effects and weld profiles. The results show that the error of SCFs by the proposed formulae is proven to be smaller than 5%. The additional weld can increase the fatigue life by as great as 9.4 times, mainly because the increasing weld toe radius and weld leg length lead to the smaller SCF. The proposed series of S-N curves, considering different SCFs, can be used to assess the welded joints with various geometric parameters and weld profiles.

scholarly journals Use of 3D Scan of Weld Joint in Finite Element Analysis and Stochastic Analysis of Hot-Spot Stresses in Tubular Joint for Fatigue Life Estimation

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikkel L. Larsen ◽  
Vikas Arora ◽  
Marie Lützen ◽  
Ronnie R. Pedersen ◽  
Eric Putnam
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Welded Joints ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Strain Range ◽  
Fe Model ◽  
Design Codes ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Hot Spot Stress ◽  
Weld Toe

Abstract Several methods for modelling and finite element analysis of tubular welded joints are described in various design codes. These codes provide specific recommendations for modelling of the welded joints, using simple weld geometries. In this paper, experimental hot-spot strain range results from a full-scale automatically welded K-node test are compared to corresponding finite element models. As part of investigating the automatically welded K-joint, 3D scans of the weld surfaces have been made. These scans are included in the FE models to determine the accuracy of the FE models. The results are compared to an FE model with a simple weld geometry based on common offshore design codes and a model without any modelled weld. The results show that the FE model with 3D scanned welds is more accurate than the two simple FE models. As the weld toe location of the 3D scanned weld is difficult to locate precisely in the FE model and as misplacement of strain gauges are possible, stochastic finite element modelling is performed to analyse the resulting probabilistic hot-spot stresses. The results show large standard deviations, showing the necessity to evaluate the hot-spot stress method when using 3D scanned welds.

Influence of backing materials towards the fatigue strength of butt-welded joints

2011 ◽  
Vol 225 (8) ◽  
pp. 1798-1807 ◽  
Author(s):  
M H Kim ◽  
H J Kim ◽  
J H Han ◽  
J M Lee ◽  
Y D Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Fatigue Strength ◽  
Welded Joints ◽  
Fatigue Tests ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Finite Element Analyses ◽  
Cold Metal Transfer ◽  
Notch Stress ◽  
Effective Notch Stress ◽  
Cold Metal

The purpose of this study is to investigate the fatigue strength of butt-welded joints with special attention paid to employing different kinds of backing plates. The effect of the under-matched weld was also considered. Four different cases of backing scenarios for butt-welded specimens such as steel backing, ceramic backing, CMT (no backing by cold metal transfer) and UM (under-matched welded specimen) were investigated. A series of fatigue tests was performed to compare the fatigue strength of butt-welded joints with respect to different backing scenarios. Effective notch stress was used for the interpretation of fatigue strength of butt-welded specimens with backing plates based on finite element analyses for calculating fatigue notch factors. When results were presented from the effective notch stress, all backing scenarios considered in this study exhibited the fatigue strengths corresponding to the FAT 225 curve. From the experimental results of this study, it was determined that the fatigue strengths of butt-welded joints were found to be in the order of CMT, ceramic backing, UM, and steel backing. No significant decrease in fatigue strength, however, was observed when backing plates were steel backing and ceramic backing types.

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