The influence of the HAZ softening on the mechanical behaviour of welded joints containing cracks in the weld metal

The mechanical behaviour of welds containing cracks was analysed through the numerical simulation of the three-point bending tests of welded specimens. This paper presents the mechanical model and the methodology used for the numerical simulation of the tests. The variation in crack driving force of cracked welds is studied as a function of the strength mismatch in the heat affected zone and of the crack position relative to the weld metal/heat affected zone interface. This analysis was performed with recourse to the numerical calculation of the J integral. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.