Fatigue Tests On Two Types Of Welded Joints Under Compressive Loading

TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 112/1980

By T R Gurney

Background

The report contains details of tests carried out on two types of specimens with longitudinal non-load-carrying fillet welds under compressive loading. The objective of the work was to obtain evidence as to whether it is realistic to assess the fatigue strength of welded joints under such loading on the basis of
stress range, as is intended in the new fatigue design rules (BS 5400). The results obtained were surprising in that the S-N curves were found not to be straight when plotted on the basis of log S v log N. An analytical model is put forward which goes some way to explaining the results.