Influence of weld profile on the thickness-fatigue life relationship for welded Tee specimens

An experimental investigation was performed to determine the stresses at the weld toe for a group of welded Tee specimens of API 2H Grade 42 steel with thicknesses ranging from 12.7 to 101.6 mm and weld profiles conforming to the American Welding Society Code--AWS Basic, Alternate #1 and Alternate #2. The objective was to improve the understanding of the interactive weld profile - plate thickness effect on fatigue behavior. A finite element technique was employed to compute the stress gradient along and perpendicular to the plate surface. A parametric equation of SCF as a function of weld toe radius and included angle was derived based upon the finite element analysis. The results indicate that the thickness effect can be partially reduced by using an improved weld profile which reduces the stress concentration at the weld toe.