Development of integrated framework for fatigue life prediction in welded structures

A new fatigue prediction method for wide range of welded structures has been developed by integrating several advanced computational techniques such as thermo-mechanical finite element method, crystal plasticity model and extended finite element method. The method consists of the following procedures: (i) computation of materials properties; (ii) analysis of temperature field, microstructure and residual stress generated during a welding process; (iii) stress distribution analysis under cyclic loading; (iv) fatigue crack initiation analysis by the Tanaka-Mura model; (v) fatigue crack propagation analysis. Using the proposed methodology, the fatigue life of butt joint was evaluated and compared with the experimental data.