Assessment of grinding weld treatment methods using effective notch stresses

An experimental and numerical research program is executed to investigate the fatigue lifetime increase due to grinding-type post-weld treatment method. Plate edge gusset, longitudinal attachment and T-type joint specimens are investigated using fatigue test results, numerical models and mathematical statistical tools. The favourable impact of grinding on fatigue lifetime of the analysed joints is commonly known for researchers. However, considering the lifetime increasing effect is mainly based on experimental results. In the current research program, numerical models for as-welded and post-weld-treated specimens are developed and the lifetime increasing effect of weld treatment is investigated using effective notch stress (ENS) method. Fatigue tests are executed on as-welded and weld-treated specimens, and their results are comparatively evaluated based on numerical calculations and measured lifetimes. The results prove that the fatigue lifetime of weld treated (ground) details can be predicted with high accuracy by applying modified weld geometry in the numerical model and ENS method. Based on the current investigation, it is proved that the advantage of weld geometry treatment method comes mainly from the modification of the weld geometry at the fatigue critical point. Results also show that the same S-N curve can be applied for both as-welded and ground specimens, if the modified weld geometry is implemented in the numerical model.