Papers by Author: Thomas Ummenhofer

Abstract: Research has been initiated on the effects of high frequency peening methods on the fatigue strength. These methods combine an improvement of weld toe profile with an initiation of compressive residual stresses and surface hardening. The effects of two techniques, High Frequency Impact Treatment (HiFIT) and Ultrasonic Impact Treatemnt (UIT) are compared. Laser measurements of the weld seam prove that both methods increase the overall weld toe radii. Further, residual stress measurements verify the introduction of compressive residual stresses at least up to a depth of 1 mm. The values meet the yield strength combined with an increase of the surface hardness. These material mechanical effects cause an increased crack resistance. Crack detection methods prove that the material mechanical effects yield to a retarded crack initiation. Experimental results show that these effects lead to a significant increase of the fatigue strength and reduced slopes of the SN-curves.

Abstract: The paper presents background information and experimental results regarding the assessment of fatigue damage in welded steel structures by thermographic investigations of thermomechanical coupling effects. The results confirm the high potential of specialized thermographic methods for the experimental characterization of all stages of fatigue damage in welded and un-welded components. The technique provides a new experimental mean to investigate early inhomogeneous fatigue damage as mesoplasticity and cracks in the weld toe. The method has been successfully applied during fatigue testing of welded components and allows detecting localized damage as early as 10% to 20% of the total fatigue lifetime of the tested specimens.