In this study, the numerical analysis model for fatigue life prediction of welded structures are presented. In order to evaluate the structural degradation of welded structures due to fatigue loading, continuum damage mechanics approach is applied. Da...
In this study, the numerical analysis model for fatigue life prediction of welded structures are presented. In order to evaluate the structural degradation of welded structures due to fatigue loading, continuum damage mechanics approach is applied. Damage evolution equation of welded structures under arbitrary fatigue loading is constructed as a unified plasticity-damage theory. Moreover, by integration of damage evolution equation regarding to stress amplitude and number of cycles, the simplified fatigue life prediction model is derived. The proposed model is compared with fatigue test results of T-joint welded structures to obtain its validation and usefulness. It is confirmed that the predicted fatigue life of T-joint welded structures are coincided well with the fatigue test results.