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

摘要

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 lads. When the unfused regiosn created by pratial jonit penetration groove welds were reniforced by filet welds so that the welded joints have a sufficinet cross-sectional area, ductile cracks grewstably and , inconsequence, the connections showed sufficient deforamtion capcity. The connections with weld defects at the root of welds sustained a quick extension of ductile cracks and, eventually, failed by brittle fracture. Test results were reproduced well by non-linear FE analyses. Fracture tounghness properties of numerically modeled weld defects were evaluated by using a recently developed fracture mechanics approach. The results of evaluation were found to correspond well with test results.