Author(s)

G. Banas

Abstract

A number of different joining processes (spot welding, arc welding, laser welding, and adhesive bonding) were used to fabricate tubular T-joints with the objective of finding the process which would give the best fatigue performance in both out-of-plane and in-plane loading conditions. Fatigue test results led to a development of an empirical model for prediction of fatigue behaviour of these joints. An application of the local approach models did not give accurate results, since during cycling of the T-joint, more than one fatigue crack always initiated. A global approach was used assuming that any fatigue crack initiation and propagation would be represented by joint's flexibility change. Initial flexibility (fi) and rate of flexibility increase (df/dN) were determined experime

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