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Cost savings using different post-welding treatments on an I-beam subject to fatigue load

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Abstract

In the framework of this work, research has been carried out to obtain current data on the potential of post-weld treatment (PWT) since new PWT technologies appeared in the last years, and the older technologies have been improved. The economy of post-welding treatments is illustrated by means of a numerical example of a simply supported welded I-beam loaded in bending by a pair of pulsating forces. The vertical stiffeners are welded to the I-beam upper flange by double fillet welds, which cause a significant decrease of fatigue stress range. This low-fatigue stress range is improved by various post-welding treatments. Based on the published experimental data, it is possible to determine the measure of the increase of the fatigue stress range as well as the required treatment time for grinding, TIG dressing, hammer peening and ultrasonic impact treatment. This article provides an overview of current PWT methods and the possible improvement in fatigue strength. Furthermore, optimization of a welded I-beam has been conducted to reduce the fabrication cost. The data from the research in the form of increase in fatigue strength and application speed were included in this optimization. The treatment time is included into the cost function and the improved fatigue stress range is considered in the fatigue constraint. The comparison of costs for optimum structural versions with and without treatments shows the economy of different treatment methods. This comparison helps designers to consider the applicability of PWT and select the best available method.

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Acknowledgments

The research was supported by the TÁMOP 4.2.4.A/2-11-1-2012-0001 priority project entitled ‘National Excellence Program’—development and operation of domestic personnel support system for students and researchers, implemented within the framework of a convergence programme, supported by the European Union, co-financed by the European Social Fund. The research was supported also by the Hungarian Scientific Research Fund OTKA T 109860 project and was partially carried out in the framework of the Center of Excellence of Innovative Engineering Design and Technologies at the University of Miskolc. Thanks for the Erasmus exchange programme between universities of Miskolc and Magdeburg, wherein Mr. Pahlke could join this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Miskolc, H-3515, Miskolc, Egyetemváros, Hungary

    Károly Jármai & József Farkas

  2. Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Universitätsplatz 2, D-39106, Magdeburg, Germany

    Hendrik Pahlke

Authors
  1. Károly Jármai
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  2. Hendrik Pahlke
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  3. József Farkas
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Correspondence to Károly Jármai.

Additional information

Doc. XIII-2499-13, XV-1442-13, recommended for publication by Commission XV “Design, analysis and fabrication of welded structures”.

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Jármai, K., Pahlke, H. & Farkas, J. Cost savings using different post-welding treatments on an I-beam subject to fatigue load. Weld World 58, 691–698 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40194-014-0150-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40194-014-0150-y

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