Multiaxial fatigue behavior of steel welded tubular joints under constant and variable amplitude loading conditions: Experimental observations and damage analysis
Abstract
Welded components are often subjected to multiaxial cyclic loading conditions during service and their durability is limited by the fatigue resistance of the welded joints. In this work, fatigue behavior of welded tubular joints highlighting the geometrical features of a typical weld bead which included partial weld penetration and weld start/stop points was investigated under multiaxial constant as well as variable amplitude loading conditions. The welded joints were investigated under both the as-welded and annealed conditions. Additionally, ground joints with two fully penetrated welds were examined to evaluate the grinding effect on durability. Weld bead grinding, application of axial mean stress, and 90° phase shift in combined loadings had significant effects on fatigue performance. Fractography observations indicated crack initiation at start/stop points of the weld and the orientation of micro-cracks and macro-cracks were observed along the maximum shear and normal stress range planes, respectively.
Publication Title
International Journal of Fatigue
Recommended Citation
Razi, A., & Fatemi, A. (2026). Multiaxial fatigue behavior of steel welded tubular joints under constant and variable amplitude loading conditions: Experimental observations and damage analysis. International Journal of Fatigue, 208 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2026.109537
