THE INFLUENCE OF SOFT ROOT ON FRACTURE BEHAVIORS OF HIGH-STRENGTH, LOW-ALLOYED (HSLA) STEEL WELDMENTS

Abstract

The presence of different microstructures along the precrack fatigue front has an important effect on the critical crack tip opening displacement (CTOD). This value is the relevant parameter for safe service of a welded structure. For a specimen with a through-thickness notch partly in the weld metal, partly in the heat-affected zone, and partly in the base material (i.e., using the composite-notched specimen), fracture behavior strongly depends on the proportion of ductile base material, size, and distribution of the mismatching factor along the vicinity of the crack front.