WG 5.3 (Welded Joints) In FABER: Progress, Challenges and Future Directions

FABER Conference 2026, Split, Croatia, 5 - 06 May 2026, pp.185-196, (Summary Text)

This work provides an overview of the development and current status of WG5.3 (Welded Joints)

within the FABER COST Action, focusing on subgroup organization, research direction, and

collaboration opportunities. The contribution reflects the experience of leading the subgroup

during its initial phase, including the challenges associated with maintaining active participation,

defining a clear subgroup identity within WG5 (Compound Problems), and coordinating activities

as a young researcher in an international research network. Several activities carried out

within WG5.3 are presented, including initial member surveys, structured literature collection,

development of review assignment tables, and organization of regular subgroup meetings.

Particular emphasis is given to the creation of a categorized literature database covering welded

joint configurations, fatigue-related influencing factors, and links to WG4 categories such as

mean stress, multiaxiality, surface integrity, and damage accumulation. In addition, recent

activities related to a Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) conducted at Aarhus University are

briefly discussed as an example of integrating WG4 insights into fatigue assessment of welded

joints. Based on the experience gained so far, the study highlights several lessons learned

regarding subgroup management, engagement strategies, and the importance of focused shortterm

objectives and co-leadership structures. Current and planned activities of WG5.3 are also

introduced, with particular attention given to the selected main research direction: multiaxial

fatigue in welded joints. The subgroup aims to establish a collaborative framework combining

literature review, data organization, benchmarking needs, and future joint research activities.

Finally, the importance of stronger interaction between WG5.3 and other FABER working groups,

particularly in the context of fatigue modelling, data analysis, and compound fatigue problems,

is emphasized. Open questions related to engagement, subgroup structuring, and collaborative

opportunities are discussed to encourage broader participation within the FABER network.