Closed-form structural stress and stress intensity factor solutions for spot welds in square overlap parts of cross-tension specimens

In this paper, the results of three-dimensional finite element analyses for a rigid inclusion in a square plate under opening and bending loading conditions are presented. Based on the computational results, closed-form structural stress solutions with equivalent and numerical coefficients for a rigid inclusion in a square plate are introduced. Next, the results of three-dimensional finite element analyses for spot welds between square plates of similar material with equal thickness are presented. The results indicate that the computational mode I stress intensity factor solutions agree well with those based on the structural stress solutions. Finally, accurate closed-form stress intensity factor solutions with fitting coefficients for spot welds in the square overlap parts of cross-tension specimens are presented.