Computer prediction of misaligned welded joints

Experimental tests have shown that misalignment can reduce the fatigue strength of welded joints significantly. Further theoretical investigations are also required to understand the behavior of these joints. In the present study, boundary element technique together with the hypersingular boundary integral equation are employed to estimate the notch stress concentration factors at the surface. These are then used to predict the fatigue life. The addressed variable is the root crack length, or partial penetration depth, which can be accurately modeled by boundary element method. It is shown that there is a good correlation between the previous experimental results and the present theoretical results. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.