Influence of flux cored arc welded cruciform joint dimensions on fatigue life of ASTM 517 `F' grade steels

Abstract A mathematical model has been developed to predict the fatigue life of flux-cored arc-welded (FCAW) cruciform joints containing lack of penetration (LOP) defects. High strength, quenched and tempered steel (ASTM 517 `F' grade) has been used as the base material throughout the investigation. The design of experiments (DoE) concept has been used to optimize the required number of experiments. Fatigue experiments have been conducted in a mechanical resonance pulsator, under constant amplitude loading. The model has been developed by use of the Response Surface Method (RSM). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) techniques have been applied to find the significant factors. The adequacy of the developed model has been checked by calculating the correlation coefficient. By using the developed model, the fatigue life of FCAW cruciform joints containing LOP defects can be predicted at a 95% confidence level. The influence of cruciform joint dimensions on fatigue life have been discussed.