Predicting the ENS-based SCFs of rib-deck welds by integrating HSS measurement

Abstract

To improve the efficiency of applying the effective notch stress (ENS) approach in practical engineering, proposing the empirical formula for determining the ENS-based stress concentration factor (SCFENS) by integrating the hot-spot stress (HSS) measurement was the focused in this study. Parametric analysis was conducted to set up the database of the SCFENS and HSS-based SCF (SCFHSS) in presence of different geometric parameters. On this basis, regression analysis was carried out to develop the empirical formulas for predicting the SCFENS, and 2 or 3 reference points-based SCFHSS (i.e., SCFHSS-2 and SCFHSS-3). Furthermore, the additional empirical formula for predicting the SCFENS was developed by considering the SCFHSS-2, SCFHSS-3, and several accessible geometric parameters (i.e., the thickness of the deck plate and rib wall, weld penetration rate, and the angle between the deck plate and rib wall) as the independent variables. Finally, static loading tests of two rib-deck welded specimens were conducted to validate the feasibility and reliability of the proposed formulas. Results show that the formulas for determining the SCFENS, SCFHSS-2, and SCFHSS-3 by geometric parameters of the rib-deck weld, and the formula for determining the SCFENS by the field measurement-based SCFHSS-2 and SCFHSS-3 and several accessible geometric parameters are feasible and reliable. The applicability of the proposed formulas is also validated by a case study. The conclusions are of significant importance to improve the efficiency of applying the ENS approach in laboratory test and practical engineering.