Cyclic testing of beam-to-column connections with weld defects and assessment of safety of numerically modeled connections from brittle fracture

This paper concerns the assessment of significance of weld defects in beam- to-column connections. Four full-sized beam-to-column connections with weld defects were tested under cyclic loads. When the unfused regions created b y partial joint penetration groove welds were reinforced by fillet welds so that the welded joints have a sufficient cross-sectional area, ductile cra cks grew stably and, in consequence, the connections showed sufficient defo rmation capacity. The connections with weld defects at the root of welds su stained a quick extension of ductile cracks and, eventually, failed by brit tle fracture. Test results were reproduced well by non-linear FE analyses. Fracture toughness properties of numerically modeled weld defects were eval uated by using a recently developed fracture mechanics approach. The result s of evaluation were found to correspond well with test results. (C) 2000 E lsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.