| This paper investigates the implementation of damage mechanics into finite element models of fillet-welded structural steel assemblies in order to predict connection fracture at realistic displacements. Utilizing a previously developed IDS (instability, ductile, and shear) material failure envelop for aluminum extrusions, the failure loci of the aluminum material were scaled to meet the point of fracture in welded steel lap splice assemblies, loaded in-plane at various angles, with a fillet weld leg size of 5 mm. The weld electrode under investigation was CSA E480xx, which is equivalent to AWS E70xx electrodes. A linear relationship for damage data scaling factors, as they relate to the loading angle of the fillet weld, was established. Three similar assemblies with fillet leg sizes of 9 mm were modeled employing this damage scaling relationship and deformations at fracture were found to coincide with experimental results and established relationships. This modeling methodology was also investigated for use in a T-stub connection tension scenario. |
