Analysis of welded tensile plates with a surface notch in the weld metal and heat affected zone

The behavior of the plates with a surface notch under tensile external loading is experimentally and numerically analyzed. The specimens were made of micro-alloyed steel NIOMOL 490 K, welded by MAG (CO2) welding method. Surface notches were machined by the spark erosion method in the weld metal and heat affected zone. A finite element analysis of the specimens subjected to the tensile external loading is performed, with a simplified treatment of the heat affected zone mechanical properties. Obtained results are compared with the results of the experimental investigation, and a satisfactory agreement for the specimens containing the weld metal notch is observed. However, results for the specimen containing a notch in the heat affected zone require further investigation, including the analysis of the effects of micro structural heterogeneity.