Fatigue life prediction of spot-welded structures: A finite element analysis approach

This paper presents the technique of the fatigue analysis of spot-weld joints to predict the lifetime and location of the weakest spot-welds due to the imposed loading conditions. A simple model was used to illustrate the technique of spot-weld fatigue analysis. Finite element model and analysis were carried out utilizing the finite element analysis commercial codes. Linear elastic finite element analysis was carried out to predict the stress state along the weld direction. It can be seen from the results that the predicted life greatly influence the sheet thickness, spot diameter and loading conditions of the model. Acquired results were shown the predicted life for the nugget and the two sheets around the circumference of the spot-weld at which angle the worst damage occurs. It is also observed that the sheet-2 appeared the maximum stress range among the model. The spot-welding fatigue analysis techniques are awfully essential for automotive structure design.

M.M.Noor