A stress intensity factor solution for root defects in fillet and partial penetration welds

TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 575/1996

J E Noblett and R M Andrews

Stress intensity factors have been calculated for root defects and unfused regions in fillet and T butt cruciform joints in tension and bending.

Background

Accurate stress intensity factor solutions are the basis for fracture or fatigue assessment using fracture mechanics.

Whilst many stress intensity factor solutions have been produced for weld toe cracks, little attention has been given to root defects in load carrying fillet welds. The BSI Document PD6493: 1991, 'Guidance on methods for assessing the acceptability of flaws in fusion welded structures', only considers tension loading.