Abstract The local stress concentrations around the discontinuities and the weld defects are fairly
common. In this study, the investigation of thickness and stress concentration effects on
fatigue strength (FAT) have been studied. The fracture mechanics tools and fracture
analysis code (Franc2D) were used to consider these effects. The FE simulation of
welded joints will provide a tool to determine the regions of stress concentration which in
turn determine the crack initiating and FAT. Unfortunately, these tools are unable to
calculate FAT at higher thicknesses. Therefore, the crack length was corrected with a
suitable scale. The determination of fracture toughness values without the need to
undertake experiments have been presented. |