STRESS INTENSITY FACTOR SOLUTIONS FOR SEMI-ELLIPTICAL WELD-TOE CRACKS IN T-BUTT GEOMETRIES

Abstract— Weld toe magnification factors are widely used in the evaluation of stress intensity factors for cracks in welded structures. Traditionally, the weld magnification factor has been determined from 2-D plane strain models containing edge cracks. However, it has long been recognised that a semi-elliptical weld toe crack cannot be accurately represented by a 2-D approximation due to the 3-D nature of the geometry. As a consequence, some recent research has been carried out using 3-D numerical modelling, which highlights the limitations of the 2-D approach. Nevertheless, 3-D solutions are still scarce and are of limited validity due to the difficulties associated with creating the numerical models. This paper reports the most extensive 3-D numerical investigation of semi-elliptical cracks in T-butt geometries to date. Based on the numerical results, new and accurate equations for weld magnification factors were derived, which quantify the 3-D effects present and emphasise the importance of the attachment. The results obtained from these equations are then used in an assessment of existing solutions.