Effect of unwelded length on behaviour of brittle crack arrest in T-joint structure

Abstract

In the large heat input weld joint of heavy gauge steel plate used for large container carriers, a brittle crack possibly propagates straight along a weld joint without diverging to the base metal. This phenomenon is discussed for its application to the large heat input weld of heavy gauge plate to ship structures. In this study, to arrest a brittle crack at the T-joint embedding unwelded face, the effect of the unwelded face on behaviour of brittle crack propagation/arrest in the T-joint structure was investigated and analysed. The ESSO test of the T-joint structure was carried out, supposing that a brittle crack which propagates along a weld joint of hatch coaming rush into T-joint of hatch coaming and strength deck. The test results showed that the brittle crack arrested at the T-joint embedding the unwelded face, and the brittle crack arrested easier, the longer the unwelded face. The results of static FEM analysis showed that the stress intensity factor of the brittle crack was increased by the unwelded face, until the brittle crack reached a flange. However, when the brittle crack propagated into the flange, the stress intensity factor of the brittle crack was decreased by the unwelded face. The crack-arrest effect of the unwelded face appears after the brittle crack propagates into the flange.

Keywords:

• thick plate
• welded joint
• brittle fracture
• crack arrestability