The Weld Profile Effect on Stress Concentration Factors in Weldments

The assessment of beneficial effects of weld geometry modification methods is considered in this paper. Since all these methods significantly increaese weld toe radius, its influence on stress concentration factors is analised. The dependance of theoretical stress concentration factors vs. weld toe radius was determined by using both finite element analisys and photoelasicity method for various types of welded joints. Ratio of coresponding values of fatigue stress concentration factors of aswelded and improved joint, determined by using empirical formulas including also hardness in heat affected zone, gives magnitude of beneficial effects of mentioned weld improvement methods. The results obtained by these calculations for one type of welded joints are compared with experimental results reported in literature.