Fracture analysis of dynamically loaded welded structures

Abstract

A computational methodology is presented that integrates simulation of welding induced residual stresses, stress wave propagation, and calculation of dynamic stress intensity factors for welded structures subjected to dynamic loading. A fillet-welded bar/plate model is used to demonstrate how welding residual stresses interact with propagating stress waves for structures subjected to dynamic loading. Inclusion of welding residual stresses increases maximum stress levels significantly around the welds, resulting in elevated dynamic stress intensity factors for welds with cracks. Stress wave propagation throughout the welded structure and reflections from boundary surfaces causes complex stress interactions that result in further elevation of local stress intensity factors for cracked welds.