Evaluation of Stress Intensity Factor of Welded Structural Steel Component

This project work is dedicated to study the influence of welding process on mechanical properties (such as ultimate tensile strength, hardness, and impact toughness) of welded structural steel component. In this work three grades of welded structural steel have been developed by using three different grades of electrodes such as E7016, E7018 and E7024. Comparative study has been made between the three grades ofwelded structural steel work pieces. Nondestructive test methods are used to find the quality of the weld. There after mechanical properties have been evaluated experimentally by preparing all specimens as per the ASTM standards. Based on the results of the tests carried out on the welded specimen using the three different grades of electrodes it is observed that the structural steel welded using E7016 grade exhibits better mechanical properties and hence crack resisting capability or fracture toughness. The stress intensity factor for the structural steel welded using E7016 has been evaluated by using the data obtained from the fracture toughness test. The stress intensity factor thus obtained is validated by using FEM.Finally, mini hydraulic excavator bucket has been taken for the static stress analysis in the welded region.