Project Lead Agency ARRS Influence of strongly heterogeneous constitutive properties on the structural integrity of a flawed weld

This project aims to improve flaw assessments of structural welds with complex heterogeneous mechanical properties. Central are the development of analytical (slip line field) and finite element models that are able to evaluate the deformation capacity and crack growth behaviour of such welds. These models will be experimentally validated using tension based fracture mechanics tests with optical full-field strain monitoring.