Fatigue strength improvement factors for high strength steel welded joints treated by high frequency mechanical impact

Numerous studies have observed that the fatigue strength of improved welds increases with material yield strength. This paper provides a comprehensive evaluation of published data for high frequency mechanical impact treated welds. In total, 228 experimental results for three weld geometries subject to R = 0.1 axial loading have been reviewed. A design recommendation including one fatigue class increase in strength (about 12.5%) for every 200 MPa increase in static yield strength is proposed and are shown to be conservative with respect to all available data. Special cautions are given for high R-ratio or variable amplitude fatigue and potential alternate failure locations.

► 228 Experimental results subject to axial loading at R = 0.1 have been reviewed. ► An increase in fatigue strength with yield strength is found. ► The observed scatters in the data are reduced with the use of correction method. ► The proposed SN curves are conservative with respect to available data. ► Special cautions are given for high R-ratio or variable amplitude fatigue.