Influence of weld size on fatigue life prediction for flux cored arc welded cruciform joints containing lack of penetration defects

Abstract

Fracture mechanics equations have been developed to predict the fatigue life of flux cored arc welded cruciform joints between pressure vessel grade steels, containing lack of penetration defects. These equations have been developed by combining the Paris law and ΔKi (initial stress intensity factor range) endurance equations. The initiation life and the propagation life of the joints were accounted for, to obtain the total fatigue life. The initiation life was obtained experimentally and the propagation life was evaluated using the numerically developed equations. The accuracy of the developed equations was tested by comparing the predicted data with the experimental data and the correlation was found to be fairly close. Further, the influence of weld size on fatigue life has been analysed in detail.