Experimental study of weld fatigue strength reduction for a stainless steel piping component

An experimental mean curve and a design fatigue curve corresponding to 95% survival probability were derived from realistic fatigue experiments on a non-welded water pressurized piping component with primarily focus on high cycle fatigue. The components were subjected to a synthetic variable amplitude bending deformation. Comparison with the results obtained for a similar piping component with a circumferential butt weld allowed the determination of an experimental fatigue strength reduction factor. Comparison with the fatigue procedure and design curve in ASME BPVC Section III allowed to quantify its conservatism with regards to accounting for the presence of a weldment and more generally transferability.