Application of the strain energy density approach in comparing different design solutions for improving the fatigue strength of load carrying shear welded joints

In the present paper two types of load carrying shear welded joints are considered and analyzed numerically and experimentally. Fatigue tests have been carried out on two specific design solutions proposed and aimed to improve the fatigue strength of the joints. By employing three-dimensional models, the Strain Energy Density (SED) over a control volume surrounding the most critical point has been determined. All the experimental results have been summarized in terms of SED showing that all the data fall within the scatter band previously proposed in the literature for welded structural steel.