Fatigue Tests and Life Estimation with Specimens Extracted from Welded Structures

In this study, fatigue tests and life prediction method for welded structures are proposed. Specimens were extracted from welded structures including embedded flaws detected by ultrasonic testing. The loading conditions of the fatigue tests were set to be identified as the operating conditions of the structures considering the crack closure effect due to welding residual stress distribution measured by strain gauges. The predicted results are well consisted with the experimental results within the factor of two scatter bands. Hence the fatigue life of the welded structures can be predicted within ±50% accuracy in life.