ABSTRACT
Fatigue life of the two possible points can be assessed by various approaches, which differ mainly in stress parameters in the assessment. Fricke et al. (2006a, 2006b) proposed a simplified approach with respect to root cracking based on local nominal stress in weld throat and a structural weld stress approach concerning local throat bending. Although the procedure is simple, the local stress increase at weld root or weld toe is not considered in nominal stress and structure stress approaches. Fracture mechanics approach was used in fillet welded joints fatigue strength assessment of both critical points (Fischer et al., 2011). The incomplete penetration can be well assessed by this approach, since the unfused root faces are considered as initial cracks. However, the crack propagation method usually gets conservative results and need more effort. Its application in practice is rare.
