Study of mechanical behaviour and fracture resistance of welded joints

This article presents in condensed form the main results of a digital analysis program for the mechanical behaviour of welded junctions carried out jointly by the CEA, EDF and Framatome. A parametric study, based on the finite elements calculation, made it possible to identify the main factors governing the rupture strength of austenitic stainless steel weld seams used in the nuclear industry. The consequences of the metallurgical and mechanical heterogeneity of weld seams on the validity and the practical use of engineering methods are then presented. (authors). 9 refs., 22 figs., 3 tabs