“…Based on the SIF equations recommended by JSSC, which are only suitable for cracks under tensile stress, Baik et al 13 proposed an SIF formula for welded joints under bending stress. To improve the accuracy of the formula proposed by Baik et al, 13 the reasons for the reduced accuracy were identified and a new correction factor was developed and added in the formula by Peng et al 15 Because SIF solutions are only available for simple weld geometries and loading conditions, numerical methods, such as the finite element method (FEM), 16,17 the extended finite element method (XFEM), 18 and the boundary element method (BEM), 14 have been directly developed to determine the SIFs of surface cracks in welded joints. To improve the accuracy of the formula proposed by Baik et al, 13 the reasons for the reduced accuracy were identified and a new correction factor was developed and added in the formula by Peng et al 15 Because SIF solutions are only available for simple weld geometries and loading conditions, numerical methods, such as the finite element method (FEM), 16,17 the extended finite element method (XFEM), 18 and the boundary element method (BEM), 14 have been directly developed to determine the SIFs of surface cracks in welded joints.…”