Assess the Effects of the Relative Strength of Base and Weld Metal on Weldment Behavior at Different Strain Rates 

Principal Investigator: Pingsha Dong, Battelle 

    Both large-scale ("T-Stub") and small-scale (butt-joint) tests will be used to establish and assess relationships between behavior observed in simple joint, welded plate, and material tests. Data will be interpreted to help establish estimates of the strength, deformability and failure mode of welded joints as a function of strength-related material properties (including the yield-to-tensile strength ratio of each material) for different combinations of base and filler metal that might be encountered in new and existing construction. 

    A range of strengths are to be utilized for the beam and weld to replicate overmatching, undermatching, and matching strength conditions. Efforts will be undertaken to compare and correlate results obtained in these three types of tests, including analysis of the metallurgy, chemistry, fracture surface, and so on. The controlling strength-related parameters as affecting joint performance, whether yield strength, tensile strength, yield-to-tensile ratio, or other properties, will be determined through these experiments. 

    This information will be used, along with other data, to identify desirable strength-related properties for FCAW-SS welded joints in steel moment-resisting frame connections subject to different strain rates. 

The detailed breakdown of the technical activities in this task are provided in the workstatement available here.