Mode-III fatigue of welded joints in steel maritime structures: Weld notch shear stress distributions and effective notch stress based resistance

The predominant mode-I response of maritime structures can be multiaxial, involving out-of-plane mode-III shear components. Semi-analytical notch stress distribution formulations have been established for critical details like welded T-joints and cruciform joints, reflecting (non-)symmetry with respect to half the plate thickness. Using a formulation based effective as fatigue strength criterion, joint mid-cycle resistance characteristics investigated. In comparison mode-I, material characteristic length curve slope estimate suggest damage process even more an initiation related near-surface phenomenon. Mean effects seem insignificant. • Weld toe developed. Effective criteria established. most likely is different from mode-I. Mode-III parameters dominated process. induced