Evaluation of a finite element model for SENT testing of welded connections

摘要

The SENT test has recently gained popularity for the characterization of the ductile tearing resistance of welded connections under low crack tip constraint. In addition to this practical purpose, Soete Laboratory adopts the SENT test as a tool to investigate effects of weld strength heterogeneity on the crack driving force response of weld defects. The numerical aspect of this investigation relies on a finite element model of a SENT specimen in which the heterogeneous strength properties of the weld region are defined on the basis of an imported hardness map. This paper evaluates the model in two respects. First, crack driving force response is validated on the basis of an experimental SENT test result of a non-welded specimen. Second, the potential effect of the transfer function between hardness and constitutive properties is illustrated. It is concluded that more work is required to improve the feasibility of weld hardness data as a means to characterize effects of weld strength heterogeneity.