Fatigue Crack Propagation Life Assessment of T-joint Fillet Weldment Considering Residual Stress under Random Loading

This paper deals with the crack propagation life assessment of T-joint welded structure where typical fatigue cracks have been frequently initiated when the marine vessels experience the storm load. Welding residual stresses are calculated to investigate its effects on the fatigue life. Thereafter the residual stress distribution was applied to the AFGROW life prediction program, which incorporated the loading, the welding residual stress, and the geometric shape of the structure. The fatigue tests of the T-joint welded specimen under storm loading show the beach mark clearly generated on the fractured section of the weldment. The crack propagation life estimated based on the beach mark is compared with that of AFGROW to validate the life prediction. Based on the results, the evaluation method of the remaining fatigue life for T-joint fillet weldment of marine vessel`s cargo hold with random load or storm load was established.