FORCES AND STRESSES IN SEAM WELDED OVERLAP JOINTS DERIVED FROM OUTER SURFACE DEFORMATION

The forces and stresses at keyhole seam welds of overlap joints can be derived from the outer surface deformations of the joined plates. The theoretical procedure is based on the definition of the jointing face forces and eigenforces in the seam weld, on the relations between the se forces, and the structural stresses in the plates and on a plate st rip model for connecting the measured surface deformations with the st ructural stress state. Relations between forces and stresses are also given which avoid the measurement of curvature. Unequal thickness of t he plates and dissimilar materials are taken into account. A finite ga p width is included. The tensile shear specimen is treated as an examp le. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.