Stresses in the vicinity of an unreinforced mitre intersection: An experimental and finite element comparison

The experimental investigation reported provides elastic stresses in the vicinity of the unreinforced intersection of a single 90° mitred bend, subjected to an in-plane bending moment. The specimen was extensively strain gauged on the outer surface. A small number of rosettes were also laid on the inside surface close to the welded intersection. The procedures used for the successful installation of the inside surface gauges are discussed. In the experiment, consideration was also given to deflections and rotations. Satisfactory comparisons with adaptive-p thin-shell finite element results were obtained in general and differences are explained in terms of the known experimental variables and finite element approximations. The nature of the stresses at such intersections is discussed and various methods of obtaining fatigue ‘hot-spot’ stresses are considered.