The effect of strength mis-match on mechanical performance of weld joints

This paper presents numerical studies on strength mis-match effects in weld ed joints. Crack growth in a mis-matched single edge notched specimen under pure bending, with a crack lying at the center line of the weld metal, is simulated via a two-dimensional plane strain finite element analysis (FEA). The fracture process is modeled using a cohesive zone model (CZM). The wor k is focussed on the effects of yield strength mis-match as well as thickne ss of the weld metal on fracture resistance and load-deformation for both u nder- and overmatched specimens. Weld metal mis-match is achieved by keepin g the same weld metal and changing the strength of the base metal.