EFFECT OF AN ELASTIC-PLASTIC SHOCK WAVE PART B: ON THE FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH RATE OF WELDED JOINTS

Fatigue crack growth behavior in welded joints subjected to elastic-plastic shock waves was investigated using three-point-bend specimens. The results indicate that the fatigue crack growth rate is reduced in the affected region of elastic or plastic waves. The travel of a plastic stress wave reaches 10 to 13 mm depth, but the hardness in this region is not increased although the lattice distortion is high. The crack path morphologies were observed, and reasons for a decrease in crack growth rate are presented.     

基于失效评定图(FAD)研究含疲劳裂纹T型圆钢管节点的安全性

失效评定曲线(FAD)常用来评价焊接结构在出现裂纹后的安全性,为了验证这种曲线在评价焊接管结构在节点部位出现疲劳裂纹后安全性的适用性,采用实验测试和有限元分析的方法研究了3个含疲劳裂纹的T型管节点试件在静力作用下的极限承载能力及破坏过程。3个T型管节点试件首先进行疲劳实验在焊趾处产生表面裂纹,然后通过在支管端部施加轴向拉力作用检测节点的破坏过程。基于自行开发的含表面裂纹T型管节点的有限元网格自动产生程序以及ABAQUS分析软件,研究了在管节点破坏过程中表面裂纹最深点的应力强度因子大小,并通过实验的荷载-位移曲线确定了T节点试件的塑性极限承载力。在这些结果的基础上,验证了FAD在评价含疲劳裂纹的焊接管节点安全性方面的适用性。研究结果标明:FAD在评价含疲劳裂纹管节点的安全性方面是安全可靠的,但偏于保守。     

THE EFFECT OF UNDERCUT, MISALIGNMENT AND RESIDUAL STRESSES ON THE FATIGUE BEHAVIOUR OF BUTT WELDED JOINTS

Abstract— A mathematical model is developed to predict the effect of weld toe undercut, misalignment and residual stresses on the fatigue behaviour of butt welded joints subjected to zero-to-tensile loading. Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM), Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and superposition approaches have been used for the modelling. It has been found that an undercut at the toes of welded joints is one of the most important weld geometry parameters. The reduction of fatigue strength of welded joints with a weld toe undercut is at least twice that of joints without an undercut in comparison with flush-ground welded plate. A misalignment of 5% of plate thickness and an undercut of 2% of plate thickness are fairly representative for the lower boundary of S-N curves of butt joints. The improvement of fatigue limits by means of surface treatments is shown to be effective for both undercut and misaligned joints. This approach is practical for a "Fitness-for-Purpose" assessment of welded joints subject to fatigue conditions.     

Rapid method for low cycle fatigue properties: thickness effect on the fatigue crack initiation life of welded joints

Welded assemblies are commonly used in the shipbuilding industry. Because of the combination of stress concentration and cyclic loading, welded joints could be a critical area for fatigue damage. Thus, knowing stress and strain histories at the critical points of the structure is necessary, particularly when a confined plasticity occurs, to determine the fatigue life of welded assemblies. To avoid time‐consuming nonlinear finite element analyses (FEA), simplified estimation methods of the elastic–plastic strain/stress can be used. In a previous work, an approach to estimate stress state at critical points was developed and employed in the case of double‐notched specimens. The present paper focuses on welded joints in order to validate this strategy with the aim to estimate the fatigue crack initiation life of T‐joints. To go further, a parametric approach has been adopted to take into account the local geometries of welded joints and to determine the constraint operator without any FEA. The results predicted by this approach are compared with experimental fatigue results.     

An application of the implicit gradient method to welded structures under multiaxial fatigue loadings

This paper deals with the problem of fatigue strength assessment of welded joints subjected to multiaxial loading. Three-dimensional solid modelling and linear elastic stress analysis, by means of numerical methods, are used to investigate the local stress field at weld toes and roots, geometrically regarded as sharp notches. Starting from the stress field obtained from a linear elastic analysis and taking advantage of the so-called implicit gradient approximation, an effective stress index connected with the material strength is calculated. In particular, there will be an investigation into the possibility of applying the implicit gradient approach to welded structures, under both uniaxial and multiaxial loading conditions, by introducing a multiaxial criterion into the implicit gradient framework. The multiaxial criterion consists of an improvement of the well-established Crossland-like criteria. It will deal with multiaxiality caused by external loadings as well as multiaxial stress fields caused by severe stress raisers. In order to validate the devised approach, theoretical fatigue damage estimations are compared with experimental data. In particular, the proposed approach is applied to a series of applicative examples taken from scientific literature and related to welded joints subjected to uniaxial or in-phase multiaxial fatigue loading.     

爆炸冲击提高16Mn钢焊缝疲劳极限的机理

利用改变作炸药与取样部位间距离的办法，使初始组织结构和应力状态相同的１６Ｍｎ钢焊缝受到强度不同的冲击波作用。研究了焊炸处理前后冲击波作用弹性区。塑性区、弹一塑性形变交界区１６Ｍｎ钢焊缝的旋转弯曲疲劳性能及铁素体内位错结构和形态，提出了焊炸冲击改善焊缝疲劳极限的位错缠结的钉扎理论。     

A numerical approach to fatigue assessment of spot weld joints

This paper deals with the fatigue strength of spot welds investigated by means of an implicit gradient approach. The material is assumed linear elastic and an effective stress for the fatigue life estimation is considered as a transformation of the maximum principal stress field, which is defined by an inhomogeneous Helmholtz equation. The effective stress is calculated by following the same procedure and by using the same characteristic length of the material, previously considered for the fatigue assessments of thick‐walled arc welded joints. About 450 experimental data under constant fatigue loading, mainly lap‐shear joints, peeling joints, coach‐peel joints and shear‐bending joints, were analyzed. The experimental data relative to these spot‐welded joints, in terms of effective stress, fall into the previous scatter band obtained for transverse fillet welded joints by supplying a possible comprehensive approach to fatigue strength assessment of welded joints.     

Local and structural multiaxial stress states in weldedjoints under fatigue loading

A cylindrical stiffener on a plate and a tube through a hollowed plate, both circularly welded, were tested under uniaxial fatigue loading. Their fatigue cracking behaviour was seen to be really complex due to the fact that crack initiation sites changed their position as the number of cycles to failure increased. To investigate this anomalous behaviour, an accurate numerical investigation was carried out to study the distribution of both local and structural linear elastic stresses along the weld toe circumferences. The numerical results proved that the weld beads were subjected to complex stress states, even though the applied nominal load was uniaxial. By the light of this evidence, the fatigue behaviour of the investigated welded joints was then re-interpreted from a multiaxial fatigue point of view by applying the Modified Wöhler Curve Method in terms of hot-spot stresses. The proposed approach was seen to be successful allowing us to estimate both crack initiation sites and fatigue lifetime with a high precision level. This fact is very interesting because it strongly supports the idea that our method can be used to assess real welded components subjected to multiaxial fatigue loading by simply post-processing linear-elastic finite-element results.     

An implicit gradient application to fatigue of sharp notches and weldments

This paper addresses the problem of stress singularities at the tip of sharp V-notches by means of a non-local implicit gradient approach. A non-local equivalent stress is defined as a weighted average of a local stress scalar quantity computed on the assumption of linear elastic material behaviour. In the case of a crack, we propose an analytical solution for the non-local equivalent stress at the crack tip when the local equivalent stress assumes the analytical form proposed by Irwin. For open notches, several numerical procedures are possible.For welded joints, we assume that the material obeys a linear elastic constitutive law. In this case, the non-local equivalent stress obtained from the implicit gradient approach is assumed as the effective stress for assessments of joint fatigue. Using the principal stress as local equivalent stress and a notch tip or weld toe radius equal to zero, we analyse many series of arc welded joints made of steel and subjected to either tensile or bending loading, and we propose a unifying fatigue scatter band. If the welded joints are subjected only to mode I loading, an analytical relationship between the relevant Notch Stress Intensity Factors (NSIF) of mode I and the effective stress is established; otherwise, the effective stress is evaluated by means of a simplified numerical analysis. For complex welded structures, however, a completely numerical solution is proposed; when different crack initiation sites are present (i.e. either weld toes or roots), the proposed approach correctly estimates the actual critical point.     

The microstructure,mechanical, and fatigue behaviours of MAG welded G20Mn5 cast steel

The microstructure, mechanical strength, and fatigue response of metal active gas (MAG) butt‐welded G20Mn5 cast steel was thoroughly investigated for exploring the service safety and reliability of new‐generation railway bogie frames. The fatigue properties of the matrix and welded joints were determined by both low‐ and high‐cycle service regimes. On the basis of nanoindentation testing, the fatigue crack growth (FCG) was derived by correlating with cyclic plastic response of microdomain materials across the MAG joint. The results show that the MAG induces considerable changes in microstructures and hardness of the G20Mn5 matrix and resultantly produces an overmatching welded joint but show comparatively low‐ and high‐cycle fatigue properties to as‐received material. The calculated threshold FCG range based on the Murakami model indicates that the maximum 1.5‐mm defect might be the cracking site subjected to fatigue loading from the structural integrity viewpoint.     

Effect of loading type on the fatigue strength of asymmetric and symmetric transverse non‐load carrying attachments

This study considers the effect of bending loading and the symmetry of joints on the fatigue strength of transverse non‐load carrying attachments. Conventionally, the fatigue strength of a welded joint has been determined without taking these factors into account. Experimental and finite element analyses were carried out and both methods showed that both loading type and symmetry have an influence on the fatigue resistance of a welded joint. Under tensile loading, the fatigue strength of asymmetric T‐joints was higher than that of symmetric X‐joints. Respectively, the fatigue resistance of tested joints improved explicitly when the external loading was bending. The finite element analysis was in good agreement with the test results in the joints subjected to tension but gave very conservative results in the joints subjected to bending.     

Enhancement of the durability of structural steels and their welded joints by plastic deformation

Conclusions The fatigue and corrosion-fatigue resistance of low-alloy steels increases as degree of plastic prestraining increases to 29%. The resistance of the 08kp steel prestrained and hardened by surface plastic deformation and its welded joints to fatigue and corrosion-fatigue fracture is higher than for the 08GSYuT alloyed steel. The procedures of pneumatic shot blasting and shot blasting prove to be efficient methods for increasing the cyclic and low-cycle durability of welded joints both in air and corrosive media. The corrosive medium considerably decreases the low-cycle durability of welded joints of sheet steels. The effect of the medium is more pronounced for alloyed steels and becomes weaker as the amplitude of strains increases. Translated from Fizyko-Khimichna Mekhanika Materially, Vol. 36, No. 3, pp. 121–122. May-June, 2000.     

Fatigue crack initiation life estimation in a steel welded joint by the use of a two-scale damage model

This work deals with the fatigue behaviour of S355NL steel welded joints classically used in naval structures. The approach suggested here, in order to estimate the fatigue crack initiation life, can be split into two stages. First, stabilized stress–strain cycles are obtained in all points of the welded joint by a finite element analysis, taking constant or variable amplitude loadings into account. This calculation takes account of: base metal elastic–plastic behaviour, variable yield stress based on hardness measurements in various zones of the weld, local geometry at the weld toe and residual stresses if any. Second, if a fast elastic shakedown occurs, a two-scale damage model based on Lemaitre et al. 's work is used as a post-processor in order to estimate the fatigue crack initiation life. Material parameters for this model were identified from two Wöhler curves established for base metal. As a validation, four-point bending fatigue tests were carried out on welded specimens supplied by 'DCNS company'. Two load ratios were considered: 0.1 and 0.3. Residual stress measurements by X-ray diffraction completed this analysis. Comparisons between experimental and calculated fatigue lives are promising for the considered loadings. An exploitation of this method is planned for another welding process.     

基于断裂力学的圆钢管混凝土T型焊接节点疲劳寿命预测

该文应用线弹性断裂力学基本原理预测圆钢管混凝土桁架焊接T型节点的疲劳寿命。首先,进行了一些节点的疲劳试验,作为验证节点疲劳寿命预测是否可靠的参考数据;其次,建立了基于断裂力学的疲劳寿命数值模拟的模型和流程框图,采用ANSYS软件编制了APDL宏命令,实现了节点疲劳寿命的计算;最后,分析了节点疲劳裂纹的扩展特性。研究结果表明:断裂力学数值模型能较好地预测这种复杂的钢混组合节点的疲劳寿命;在正常的焊接质量条件下,不同的初始裂纹尺度对节点疲劳扩展寿命的影响不大;裂纹在长度方向的扩展速度大于在深度方向的扩展速度;裂纹深度在达到1/2主管壁厚之前,裂纹沿深度方向的扩展非常缓慢,大部分的疲劳寿命消耗在此阶段,之后裂纹沿深度方向的扩展较快。     

CYCLIC CRACK RESISTANCE OF WELDED JOINTS WITH NON-UNIFORM FIELDS OF RESIDUAL WELDING STRESSES

Abstract— The use of linear elastic fracture mechanics to describe the kinetics of fatigue fracture of welded joints with high welding residual stresses (WRS) is experimentally evaluated in this paper. A correction analysis is used to show that the crack propagation rate of cracks in joints, as a function of the applied stress intensity factor, is linear on a log-log scale in the Paris regime when non-uniform fields of WRS are superimposed on the applied cyclic loading. It is shown that crack growth rates in joints with high WRS do not depend on the characteristics of the loading cycle. The parameters of the Paris exponential equation are determined by the initial WRS distribution, by the range of cyclic stresses and by the load ratio. A method for calculating the cyclic crack resistance of joints is proposed which explicitly allows for a non-uniform field of WRS that influences the fatigue crack growth rate.     

Fatigue life prediction for butt‐welded joints considering weld‐induced residual stresses and initial damage,relaxation of residual stress,and elasto‐plastic fatigue damage

Fatigue damage of butt‐welded joints is investigated by a damage mechanics method. First, the weld‐induced residual stresses are determined by using a sequentially coupled thermo‐mechanical finite element analysis. The plastic damage of material is then calculated with the use of Lemaitre's plastic damage model. Second, during the subsequent fatigue damage analysis, the residual stresses are superimposed on the fatigue loading, and the weld‐induced plastic damage is considered as the initial damage via an elasto‐plastic fatigue damage model. Finally, the fatigue damage evolution, the relaxation of residual stress, and the fatigue lives of the joints are evaluated using a numerical implementation. The predicted results agree well with the experimental data.     

Fatigue assessment of high‐frequency mechanical impact (HFMI)‐treated welded joints subjected to high mean stresses and spectrum loading

The fatigue strength of welded joints can be improved with various post‐weld treatment methods. High‐frequency mechanical impact treatment is a residual stress modification technique that creates compressive residual stresses at the weld toe. However, these beneficial residual stresses may relax under certain loading conditions. In this paper, previously published fatigue data for butt and fillet welded joints subjected to high stress ratios and variable amplitude cyclic stresses were evaluated in relation to the current International Institute of Welding (IIW) recommendations on fatigue strength improvement and a proposed IIW design guideline for high‐frequency mechanical impact‐treated welded joints. The evaluation showed that the current IIW recommendations resulted in both non‐conservative and overly conservative fatigue strength estimations depending on the applied stress level, whereas the proposed fatigue assessment guideline fitted the current data well.     

The peak stress method applied to fatigue assessments of steel and aluminium fillet-welded joints subjected to mode I loading

The aim of this work is to present an engineering method based on linear elastic finite element (FE) analyses oriented to fatigue strength assessments of fillet‐welded joints made of steel or aluminium alloys and subjected to mode I loading in the weld toe region where fatigue cracks nucleate. The proposed approach combines the robustness of the notch stress intensity factor approach with the simplicity of the so‐called ‘peak stress method’. Fatigue strength assessments are performed on the basis of (i) a well‐defined elastic peak stress evaluated by FE analyses at the crack initiation point (design stress) and (ii) a unified scatter band (design fatigue curve) dependent on the class of material, i.e. structural steel or aluminium alloys. The elastic peak stress is calculated by using rather coarse meshes with a fixed FE size. A simple rule to calculate the elastic peak stress is also provided if a FE size different from that used in the present work is adopted. The method can be applied to joints having complex geometry by adopting a two‐step analysis procedure that involves standard finite element (FE) models like those usually adopted in an industrial context. The proposed approach is validated against a number of fatigue data published in the literature.     

FRACTURE MECHANICS ANALYSIS OF FATIGUE RESISTANCE OF SPOT WELDED COACH-PEEL JOINTS

Resistance spot welding is the most widely used joining method in automobile manufacture. The number, location, and quality of welds are some of the factors that influence the performance of welded subassemblies, and body panel structures. Therefore, design optimization requires knowledge of not only sheet metal behavior, but also weld behavior under service loadings. A linear elastic fracture mechanics approach was employed in this study to estimate the fatigue lives of spot welds subjected to tearing loads in a coach-peel specimen. Using a finite element method (FEM), the initial J-integral values for five coach-peel joints, each with different geometries, were calculated. Fatigue tests conducted on the same weld geometries provided life data. The experimental data were used to derive a relationship between the initial elastic J-integral values (ΔJ_e) and the fatigue life. It was found that the total fatigue life (N_f) of a weld at one applied stress range is related to its range of J-integral value such that a ΔJ_e vs N_f log-log plot gives a straight line relationship. This relationship can be used to evaluate the effects of geometrical variables on the fatigue life of coach-peel joints. The results show that, within the dimension range studied here, the effects of geometrical variables on the fatigue resistance can be ranked in the following decreasing order: weld eccentricity, sheet thickness and weld nugget diameter.