Recommendations for Fatigue Design of Welded Joints and Components

This book provides a basis for the design and analysis of welded components that are subjected to fluctuating forces, to avoid failure by fatigue. It is also a valuable resource for those on boards or commissions who are establishing fatigue design codes. For maximum benefit, readers should already have a working knowledge of the basics of fatigue and fracture mechanics. The purpose of designing a structure taking into consideration the limit state for fatigue damage is to ensure that the performance is satisfactory during the design life and that the survival probability is acceptable. The latter is achieved by the use of appropriate partial safety factors. This document has been prepared as the result of an initiative by Commissions XIII and XV of the International Institute of Welding (IIW).

“It provides the basis for the design and analysis of welded components that are subjected to fluctuating forces to avoid failure by fatigue. … The book is highly recommended to students in the upper semesters and scientists who are confronted with fatigue loading and design of welded structures during the early stages of their career. In particular, for engineers in their professional practice, the book offers a valuable compilation and overview of recommendations and design codes.” (Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Böllinghaus, Materials Testing, Vol. 58 (5), 2016)

Prof. Hobbacher studied mechanical engineering at the Technical University in Stuttgart, Germany. He started his career in industry in chemical plant equipment, heavy machinery and pressure vessels, finally as head of the design office. Later he finalized his doctorate thesis at the Aachen Institute of Technology in aerospace engineering. In 1980 he became full professor at the University of Applied Sciences in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, lecturing welding technology, structural steelwork, pressure vessels and pipes. Here, he established the new Institute for Materials and Production Technology, of which he became the first director. He is chairman of the German Welding Society (DVS) working group on design and analysis, and for a period of ten years he was chairman of the International Institute of Welding (IIW) Commission XV on Design and Analysis of Welded Structures. He served as chairman of an IIW Working Group, which developed the IIW Fatigue Design Recommendations. His scientific work resulted into numerous publications, documents and books. For his efforts and achievements he was rewarded with the “Evgeny Paton Prize” in 2013.