The Calculation of Fatigue Crack Growth in Welded Tubular Joints Using Fracture Mechanics

A model for calculating the fatigue crack growth in welded tubular joints, based on fracture mechanics, is established. Various aspects of fatigue crack growth calculations are incorporated in this calculation model. The model can be used for calculating the size of a fatigue crack at any time in the fatigue life. The crack growth calculation model is verified by comparing the results with the actual fatigue crack growth in a large-scale welded tubular joint specimen.