Method for the prediction of fatigue life for welded structures

A computer-based method of determining the fatigue life of a welded structure using a computer having at least one processor and at least one memory, said method comprising the following steps which are each sequentially carried out within the computer:

• creating a three-dimensional (3D) coarse mesh model of the welded structure to be analyzed;
• analyzing the coarse mesh model using a finite element analysis (FEA) model to generate FEA data;
• identifying a critical stress location on the coarse mesh model having a through thickness stress distribution, based on the FEA data;
• post processing the FEA data in the middle portion of the through thickness stress distribution while excluding the through thickness stress distribution near the edges of the identified critical stress location to determine a peak stress;
• and
• determining a fatigue life of the welded structure at the identified critical stress location, dependent on the determined peak stress.