Fatigue strength evaluation of load-carrying fillet weldments under out-of-plane bending load using structural stress method

Two types of load carrying fillet weldment, which are typical weld joints in ship structures, were examined under out-of-plane bending load by using structural stress approach. Finite element analyses using both solid and shell elements models have been performed for the assessment of fatigue strength. Basis for the derivation of structural stress method is discussed in detail. The calculated structural stress values for the fatigue strength evaluation of load carrying fillet weldments are independent of mesh size. In this study, drawbacks and doubts associated with applying the structural method such as the guidance of virtual node method and the application of three-dimensional equilibrium condition for solid model have been discussed accompanied by various case studies. In order to solve the problem of the solid model, the alternative method for solid model by using the equilibrium condition of the nodal force has been introduced.