Fatigue Crack Repair

Design and specification of fatigue crack repairs is a specialised process. A badly designed or poorly executed weld repair is unlikely to survive as long as the original joint. We can provide guidance on the most appropriate repair methods, assist in devising method statements and advise on possible design improvements.

A range of techniques for improving the fatigue life of new or repaired joints is available. For example, weld toe grinding, shot or needle peening, ultrasonic impact treatment (UIT), TIG dressing and many others. We are happy to advise on the application of these techniques, the equipment required, inspection after treatment and likely fatigue life improvement.

Life extension has been applied successfully to off-shore structures bridges and many other components on behalf of a number of TWI member companies.

TWI offers in-depth analysis of the areas in which fatigue is likely to occur, information on the fatigue life improvement of existing structures and advice on the current international standards in use.

Weld improvement techniques such as toe grinding have been shown to increase the fatigue life by a factor of two or more, equivalent to an increase in the allowable stress range of 30%.

For more information please contact us.