| Abstract Scope |
Measurements on welded steel joints under accelerated corrosion show that exposure progressively alters weld toe geometry, surface hardness, and residual stresses, the parameters governing local fatigue stresses. What these changes mean for the stress state at the weld has not been quantified in a form useful to welding practice. A finite element study takes the published measured evolution of weld profiles and residual stresses on corroded S355 butt and fillet welds, for exposures up to 12 months, and traces its effect on notch stress concentrations at the weld toe. The procedure is checked against published fatigue tests on the same joint series, including 3D-scanned geometries. Weld toe radius, flank angle, undercut, and residual stress level are varied within measured ranges to rank their influence on local stress. The results identify which weld geometry parameters dominate, informing weld quality requirements and inspection priorities for corrosive service. |