FATIGUE OF FILLET WELDS WITH TOE DEFECTS. FINAL CONTRACT REPORT

Fatigue tests were carried out on fillet welded joints containing hydrogen cracks in the region of the weld toe. It was found that fatigue cracks propagated from the hydrogen cracks giving fatigue lives which were up to five times lower than expected on the basis of tests on defect-free joints. Reasonable estimates of fatigue life were obtained using a fracture mechanics analysis of the actual geometry of welded joints and cracks considered. However, analysis using PD 6493 seriously underestimated the lives obtained. Most of the defects from which fatigue cracks propagated were not detected by magnetic particle inspection, including hydrogen cracks up to 1.5mm in depth. In view of this limitation, it is recommended that, in general, all indications of weld toe hydrogen cracking should be repaired. (Author/TRRL)

• Corporate Authors:

  Welding Institute

  Abingdon Hall
  Cambridge CB1 6AL,   England 
• Authors:
  • Maddox, S J
• Publication Date: 1983-12

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 32 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Analysis; Chemical reduction; Cracking; Defects; Durability; Failure; Fillet welds; Fracture mechanics; Geometry; Hydrogen; Joints; Mathematical analysis; Mechanical fatigue; Shape; Steel; Toes; Welding
• Uncontrolled Terms: Crack propagation; Fatigue life
• Old TRIS Terms: Reduction
• ITRD Terms: 6471: Analysis (math); 5211: Cracking; 5238: Defect (tech); 5910: Durability; 5520: Failure; 5579: Fatigue (mater); 7187: Hydrogen; 2998: Joint (structural); 9073: Shape; 4542: Steel; 3852: Welding
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; I34: Steels and Metals;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00387252
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Report/Paper Numbers: 3697/2/83 Monograph
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 30 1984 12:00AM