Abstract
In this paper, effectiveness of reinforcing fillet welds in preventing cracking in roots of partial joint penetration welds is investigated. The method used for this investigation includes finite element modeling and a micromechanical model of crack initiation. Base plate connections of three wide flange sections with various fillet weld dimensions are modeled. A novel method is proposed for idealization of the partial penetration weld geometry. The accuracy of the finite element model and the cracking initiation prediction method are verified based on test results. It is observed that, for each column section, utilizing fillet welds larger than a certain size shifts the crack initiation location from the partial penetration weld root to the column flange, which delays cracking considerably. The aforementioned minimum size of the reinforcing fillet welds depends mainly on thickness of the column flange, and also on the depth of the cross section.
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