Fatigue life estimation of spot welds using a crack propagation-based method with consideration of residual stresses effect

In the present paper, a crack propagation-based fatigue life estimation approach has been proposed for resistance spot welds. The presented approach also takes into account the effect of welding residual stresses. It can provide an accurate and systematic prediction of the life of spot weld joints with various dimensions and shapes. Experimental verification tests confirmed the validity of the calculations and good agreement was found between the theoretical predictions and experimental data.