Spot Weld Fatigue Life Prediction of Auto Set Belt Anchors Using $K_e$

Abstract

As the welding spot forms a singular geometry of an external crack type, fatigue failure of spot-welded specimens can be evaluated by means of a fracture parameter. Recasting the load vs. fatigue life relationships experimentally obtained, we predicted the fatigue life of spot-weld specimens with a single parameter denoted the equivalent stress intensity factor. This crack driving parameter is demonstrated to successfully describe the effects of specimen geometry and loading type in a comprehensive manner. The suggested fatigue life formula for a single spot weld can play a key role in the design and assessment of spot-welded panel structures, in that the fatigue strength of multi-spots is eventually determined by the fatigue strength of each single spot. We therefore attempt to evaluate the effectiveness and validity of in predicting the fatigue life of auto seat belt anchor panel. We first establish finite element models reflecting the actual mechanical behavior of 3 types of seat belt anchor specimens. Using finite element models elaborately established, we then obtain the effective crack driving parameter composed of its ductility -dependent modal components. It is confirmed that the concept successfully predicts the fatigue life of multi-spot welded panel structures represented by auto seat belt anchors here