This paper presents a critical review of current design methods, including their background and relevant experimental data, for assessing the fatigue performance of steel fillet welds with respect to failure in the weld throat. The main focus is on fillet or partial penetration welds in cruciform, T, or lap joints under transverse loading failing by fatigue crack growth across the weld throat under normal stresses. The review covers the influence of residual stress, applied mean stress, joint fit-up and alignment, weld quality, the use of coated steel, the need for a plate thickness correction, and calculation of the optimum weld size. Also considered are cases of fillet welds failing in shear or combined normal and shear stresses.

Issue Section:
Research Papers
Keywords:
fillet welds, steel, fatigue, design, residual stress, coated steel, cruciform joint, lap joint, shear stress, combined loading, cracks, fatigue, fracture toughness testing, internal stresses, welding, welds
Topics:
Fatigue, Shear (Mechanics), Stress, Welded joints, Design
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