Abstract
The effect of weld penetration on fatigue behavior of welded beam-column connections was focused in this study. Fatigue tests were performed on modeled beam-column connections with fillet and partial penetration welds. The desired weld penetration depth was 0mm for fillet welds and 7mm (one-third of flange plate thickness) for partial penetration welds. Fatigue cracks were initiated from weld roots and/or toes in the fillet welded joints and from weld toes in the partial penetration welds. Fatigue lives were estimated by three kinds of stress ranges, nominal stress range calculated from the beam theory, stress range considering shear lag and hot spot stress range.
