Procedural Considerations Relating to the Fatigue Testing of Steel Weldments

Although fatigue design rules for welded steel joints are well developed, many cyclically loaded structures and components contain details that are not covered by these rules. It is often necessary, therefore, to generate fatigue data so that service performance may be rigorously assessed. However, for fatigue data to be of value, it is essential to identify and control many factors associated with the fatigue test itself.

The present paper summarizes the main parameters to be controlled when performing weldment fatigue tests. Four distinct areas are discussed—specimen design and fabrication, specimen preparation, testing, and, finally, reporting. Based on experience, recommendations are given regarding suitable practices in each of these areas.