INVESTIGATIONS ON CRUCIFORM WELDED JOINTS WITH ROOT GAPS - AWRA REPORT P6-44-80

The influence of root gaps on the static and fatigue strength of load bearing fillet welded members has been investigated using a finite element analysis, by strain gauging of large scale physical models, by testing of prototype models spark machined from solid plate, and by conducting static and low cycle fatigue tests on real specimens. In the root gap range of 0 to 3mm a defined reduction of fatigue strength with increasing gap was not revealed. (Author/TRRL)