Numerical Studies of Estimation of Fracture Parameters for Mismatched Welded Joints with HAZ Cracks

An idealized tri-material assumption is established to describe the constitutive relationship of mismatched welded joints by considering the influence of heat affected zone (HAZ). The fracture parameters and C* are estimated for mismatched welded joints with HAZ cracks by finite element analysis with ABAQUS. A middle crack tension (M(T)) specimen is utilized in the analysis for different material properties and geometries of the weldment. The influence of mechanical property and geometry on the fracture parameters J and C* of the specimen is discussed for the welded joints with HAZ crack. The results suggest that the HAZ property is a significant factor in the estimation of J and C* for the mismatched welded joint with HAZ crack.