MINIMIZATION OF STRESS-CONCENTRATION FACTORS IN FATIGUE-CRACK REPAIRS

A numerical study is reported of a repair by flaw removal on a convent ional welded joint. The repair profile is optimized with respect to th e flaw and joint dimensions in order to minimize the resulting stress concentration factor (SCF). Two dimensional (edge repair) and three di mensional (surface repair) finite element analyses were made for the d etermination of SCF values and a graphical representation of results i s presented. A relation between edge repair and surface repair is obta ined and short and long repairs are defined. The weld geometry and rep air orientation effects on SCF values are discussed. Finally, implicat ions on using short and long repairs on fatigue initiation and inspect ion are presented. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.