The Static Strength of Cracked Joints in Tubular Members

This report reviews the research which has been carried out from the 1980s to 2000 into the effect of cracks on the static strength of tubular joints.

The effects of cracks on both plastic collapse and fracture are considered for a range of different types of joint geometry.

The main geometries considered are T,Y,DT and K tubular joints with cracks around the weld toe in the chord and plain brace members with circumferential cracks.

The information available consists of experimental test data and the results of a series of finite element analysis investigations. The fracture considerations are divided into brittle fracture and ductile tearing fracture and procedures are outlined for estimating the strength of tubular joints for these different circumstances.

Analyses have been carried out on some recent data which confirm that the procedures recommended give safe estimates of the strength of cracked joints.