Abstract
This paper presents FE-based fatigue life prediction techniques for spot-welded structures, considering fractures of welds. Procedures for FE analyses are decided as results of experiments carried out on single and multi-spot-welded joints. Beam elements representing spot welds judged fractured are removed. Proposed techniques were applied to evaluate fatigue life of actual automotive structures, a footrest assembly and a rear body installed a trailer hitch. Accuracy of predicted life by proposed techniques was higher than that by conventional techniques that evaluate all spot welds fatigue lives with only once FE analysis.
