DESIGN OF ALUMINIUM WELD JOINTS SUBJECTED TO STATIC AND DYNAMIC LOADING

Abstract

Aluminium and its alloys posses better strength to weight ratio and better corrosion resistance as compared to steel. Hence, Aluminium is being extensively used in many structural applications. Thus, design of Aluminium weld joints assumes significance. In the present work is to study the stress distribution in fillet weld of lap and tee. weld joints has been studied by Finite Element Method considering geometric non-linearity of the weld shape. The effect of toe angle varying with the change in weld shape on stress concentration factor at the weld toe and yield load of the weld joint has been studied. The effect of convexity and concavity on the stress concentration factor at the toe has been studied. The yield load obtained by Finite Element Method has been compared with the same estimated using standard design formula. Results of the present work indicate that stress concentration factor is almost constant for convex fillets, whereas for concave fillets it reduces with increase in toe angle. Failure strength is in good agreement with design formula. The lap joint is found to be stronger than the tee joints for the same joint configuration. The present work is a first step towards formulating design methodology for Aluminium welds.