Reliability Based Defect Assessment Methodology for Welded Joints with Respected to Brittle Fracture

Abstract

Using the reliability approach such as an advanced first order second moment method (AFOSM), FTS Committee organized in the Japan Welding Engineering Society (JWES) has discussed the defect assessment methodology which employs the partial safety factors for characterized defect size, applied strain and fracture toughness to warrant the reliability of the welded structures with respect to brittle fracture. This paper describes the procedure of introducing reliability approach to the JWES2805 standard and the partial safety factors are evaluated to secure the expected reliability. This methodology is to be adopted in the revised JWES standard 2805 “Method of assessment for flaws in fusion welded joints with respect to brittle fracture and fatigue crack growth”.