Analysis of Fatigue Performance of Spot-Welded Steel T-Profiles Under Cyclic Torsional Loading

Demiral M., KADIOĞLU F.

Applied Sciences (Switzerland), vol.14, no.22, 2024 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 14 Issue: 22
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.3390/app142210607
  • Journal Name: Applied Sciences (Switzerland)
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Aerospace Database, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, Applied Science & Technology Source, Communication Abstracts, INSPEC, Metadex, Directory of Open Access Journals, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Keywords: diameter of the spot weld, load ratio, number of spot welds, spot-welded box, torsional fatigue loading, XFEM
  • Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Steel T-profiles with the spot-welding manufacturing process are extensively used in various sectors such as construction, automotive, renewable energy, etc., due to their versatility and reliability. These profiles are exposed to various loading modes during their service life, which include axial, bending, shear, torsional, or combinations thereof. This paper investigates the fatigue performance of a spot-welded T-profile assembly subjected to torsional cyclic loading. The extended finite element method (XFEM) analysis was performed to simulate the intricate behavior of spot welds under the loading, elucidating critical areas prone to fatigue initiation and propagation especially around the spot welds. The simulation results were compared with previously obtained experimental results. Both results are consistent. The effects of various parameters, including the spot-weld diameters, the amount of torque applied, thickness of the profile parts, and the presence of base part, on the fatigue performance of the assembly were studied critically.