Rates of fatigue crack propagation were determined for CT specimens taken from the weld metal, heat-affected zone, and base metal of an Alcoa 649A Process 5556 butt weld in a 51-mm (2-in.)-thick 5456-H117 plate. Crack-opening displacement measurements were taken during the fatigue crack propagation tests so that the effects of crack-opening loads and residual stresses could be determined. The use of the concept of Elber's effective stress intensity range, based on the measurements of crack-opening loads, indicates that the crack propagation rates are equivalent in the weld metal, heat-affected zone, and base metal. Furthermore, the effect of stress ratio also can be correlated using the effective stress intensity range concept.
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