New weld toe magnification factors for semi-elliptical cracks in plate-to-plate butt-welded joints

摘要

British Standard 7910:2013 includes a single set of equations for estimating the weld toe magnification factor (M_k) of different types of welded joints with a semi-elliptical surface crack. In this study, extensive finite element analyses are performed to determine the M_k of plate-to-plate butt-welded joints subjected to axial and bending loading. The M_k values at the crack deepest points and the crack ends are determined. It is found that the M_k results of butt welds are different with those of single T-butt joints with percentage difference in values being as high as 63.8% and 97.4% for axial and bending loading cases, respectively. Percentage differences of 60.4% and 358.2% for axial and bending loading cases are observed between butt welds and X-joints. New M_k equations for butt welds are proposed using multiple regression analyses.