Square Root Classification of Welds

27.9.2021 Heikki Holopainen

Heikki Petteri Holopainen

Chief Engineer, Structural Engineering
Tel. +358 (0)40 556 0798
heikki.holopainen@shi-g.com
Sumitomo SHI FW Energia Oy
Relanderinkatu 2
P.O. Box 201, FI-78201 Varkaus, Finland
 Effective and illustrative sizing of welds
SQRT-Classification of welds

 I have developed simplified but economical classification of welds

 The results correspond to Eurocode's Directional Method, but without
calculations with stresses
 Directional Method is described in EN 1993-1-8 chapter 4.5.3.2

 There is no new theory. It is only new approach which makes sizing of welds
easy and illustrative.

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 Articles in Finnish
Hitsaustekniikka 5/2016 ja Teräsrakenne 1/2016

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 SQRT-classification of welds

 There is need to classify welds according to

directions they are designed to transfer loads
 Classification can be based on square root term
in strength formula
 With this classification, it is easy to speak about l a
different types of welds even without figures
available

l
a
Square root one welds Fw.Rd = Σal · fyd.w / √1 l

Square root two welds Fw.Rd = Σal · fyd.w / √2

Square root three welds Fw.Rd = Σal · fyd.w / √3
a
fyd.w = fu/(bwgM2) for √2- and √3-welds
3 fyd.w = 0.9fu/gM2 for √1-welds (partial penetration)
 Symbols

 Symbols are based on standard EN 1993-1-8: Eurocode 3: Design of steel

structures. Part 1-8: Design of joints
 Methods are modified compared to EN 1993-1-8

a weld effective throat thickness

fu ultimate tensile strength of parent metal (MPa)
fy yield strength of parent metal (MPa)
gM0 partial safety factor for parent metal
gM2 partial safety factor for welds
bw correlation factor for fillet welds, see EN 1993-1-8, table 4.1
fyd.w design yield strength of weld (MPa)
FRd design resistance (kN)

 Load factors are not discussed in this training material. Generally maximum
permissible load is FRd / 1.5 if type of load case is not specified
 In examples, there isn’t included overstrength factor that may be necessary in
case of dissipative members for earthquake

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 How to classify

 Classification is based on primary stress type in weld throat

 √1-weld: only normal stress s
 √2-weld: half-and-half normal stress s and shear stress t
 √3-weld: only shear stress t
 Stresses are used only for classification, not for calculations

s
weld throats are
marked with white
color
t
s t

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 Why to classify

 There is no need to calculate complicated stress states

 Total plastic capacity of multiple welds can be utilized directly because the
method is force-based
 only classification is stress-based, not calculation
 distribution of resistances is clear, no need for distribution assumptions
 usually no need for iterative calculations
 The result is the same compared to complicated method
 stress-based calculations give same results with iterative force distribution
assumptions
 The method leads to economical welds, without losing directions of forces
during engineering process of welds
 it is good to understand directions of forces, if you deal with welds
 when directions of forces are classified in calculations, misunderstandings are
minimized (the purpose of each weld is clear)
 Geometry and material based weld sizing can be done easily
 see following slides

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 Calculation example of square root two weld

Define throat thickness for equal strength weld, for which Fw.Rd ≥ Fp.R
not utilizing
 gM0

 Strength of √2-weld Fw.Rd = Σ al · fyd.w / √2 fyd.w = fu/(bwgM2)

 Strength of plate Fp.R = tl · fy
2al · fu / (bwgM2) / √2 ≥ tl · fy
a ≥ √2 · fy / fu · (bwgM2) t / 2

 For S355 a ≥ √2 · 355MPa / 510MPa · (0.9·1.25) t / 2

a ≥ 0.55t

t
a
s
l
t
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 Justification to correspond with EN 1993-1-8

 Only sqrt(2) may need justification

 sqrt(3) weld corresponds to simplified method in EN 1993-1-8
 sqrt(1) weld corresponds to directional method when there is only normal stress
perpendicular to the throat

 Justification for sqrt(2) weld:

σ ┴ = τ ┴ = σw / √2, where σw is stress resultant in weld throat

σeq = √(σ┴²+3τ ┴ ²) = √((σw/√2)²+3(σw/√2)²) = σw√2

In limit state, σeq = fyd.w and σw = σw.lim s┴

t┴
=> σw.lim = fyd.w / √2
sw

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 Calculation example of multiple welds

Define throat thickness for equal strength weld, for which Fw.Rd ≥ Fp.R
not utilizing
 gM0

 Strength of one √2-weld Fw.Rd = 1·al · fyd.w / √2

 Strength of two √3-welds Fw.Rd = 2·al · fyd.w / √3
F
 Strength of plate Fp.R = tl · fy

(1·al / √2 + 2·al / √3) · fu / (bwgM2) ≥ tl · fy t

a ≥ (1/√2 + 2/√3)⁻¹ · fy / fu · (bwgM2) · t
a ≥ 0.54 · fy / fu · (bwgM2) · t

 For S355
l t

a ≥ 0.54 · 355 MPa / 510 MPa · (0.9·1.25) · t t

a ≥ 0.42t l s

❑ No need for iterative calculations

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 Block Tearing of Parent Metal

 Square root classification of welds can be

directly adopted to block tearing calculations
of parent metal
 Especially in case of square root three welds,
there is usually also need to check block
tearing of parent metal
 Block tearing limits strength of joint: increasing
weld throat thickness above this limit, does not
make joint stronger
 Usually there are several block tearing modes

example of block tearing of square

tearing of parent metal root three welds

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 Calculation example of Block Tearing of Parent Metal

not
 Define throat thickness for equal strength weld, for which Fw.Rd ≥ Fp.R utilizing
gM0
 Strength of four √3-welds Fw.Rd = 4·al · fyd.w / √3 p1
 Strength of four √3-sections in parent metal
Fp1.R = 4·tl · fy / √3
 Strength of pipe Fp.R = tdm·fy
 For long enough joint Fp1.R ≥ Fp.R a
4·tl · fy / √3 ≥ tdm·fy F
t
l ≥ √3·dm /4 = 1.36dm ≈ 1.36d
 For strong enough weld Fw.Rd ≥ Fp.R
4·al · fyd.w / √3 ≥ tdm·fy l
p

4·al · fu / (bwgM2) / √3 ≥ tdm·fy

a ≥ √3·dm/4l · fy / fu · (bwgM2)·t dm
d
 When l = √3·dm /4
a ≥ fy / fu · (bwgM2)·t

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 Calculation example of Block Tearing of Parent Metal

 Main resistance Fma.R = min(Fg.R, Fp.R) Fg.R = bsfyg

not utilizing
gM0
Tearing resistance Fte.R = min(Fg1.R, Fg2.R, Fp1.R)

Fp.R = tdm·fyp
 Length criteria Fte.R ≥ Fma.R → Fma.R / Fte.R ≤ 100 %
g = gusset plate
 Throat thickness criteria Fw.Rd ≥ Fma.R → Fma.R / Fw.Rd ≤ 100 % p = pipe

Fg1.R = ((b – d)/√1 + 2l /√3) sfyg Fg2.R = (d /√1 + 2l / √3) sfyg Fp1.R = 4l / √3 · tfyp

p1
s t

g2
t g1 t t
d l
s s
dm

b
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 Calculation example of Block Tearing of Parent Metal

d = 100 mm pipe diameter

dm = d – t t = 6 mm pipe wall thickness
d m = 94 mm pipe mean metal diameter
Fp.R = tdm·fyp b = 130 mm gusset plate width
s = 8 mm gusset plate thickness

Fg.R = bsfyg pipe gusset

a
fyd.w = fu / (bwgM2)
fy = 235 MPa 355 MPa yield strength
fu = 360 MPa 510 MPa tensile strength
FR = 416 kN 369 kN tension resistance
Fma.R = min(Fg.R, Fp.R) bw = 0.8 0.9 correlation factor for fillet welds
g M2 = 1.25 1.25 partial factor
Fp1.R = 4l / √3 · tfyp f yd.w = 360 MPa 453 MPa weld calculation strength

Fg1.R = (b – d + 2l / √3) sfyg F ma.R = 369 kN main resistance

Fg2.R = (d + 2l / √3) sfyg l = 120 mm weld length

F p1.R = 391 kN pipe block tearing resistance
Fte.R = min(Fg1.R, Fg2.R, Fp1.R) F g1.R = 479 kN gusset plate corner block tearing resistance
F g2.R = 678 kN gusset plate middle block tearing resistance
Fw.Rd = 4·al · fyd.w / √3 F te.R = 391 kN Tearing resistance
F ma.R / F te.R = 94 %
Weld length is selected so that
Fma.R / Fte.R ≤ 100 % f yd.w = 360 MPa weld design strength
a = 4.0 mm weld throat thickness
F w.Rd = 399 kN weld design resistance
Weld throat thickness is selected so that
F ma.R / F w.Rd = 93 %
Fma.R / Fw.Rd ≤ 100 %
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 SQRT-Classification with Unit Resistances

 Single weld can be used to transfer several kinds of loads

 These cases can be solved by splitting welds to several parts
 Each part can be sqrt-classified in different ways
 Unit resistances fRd are useful for these purposes:
Square root one welds f√1.Rd = n·a · fyd.w / √1
n = 1 for single weld
Square root two welds f√2.Rd = n·a · fyd.w / √2 n = 2 for double weld
Square root three welds f√3.Rd = n·a · fyd.w / √3
 Example: shear length lV trasfers the shear, the rest is for bending

hf
FEd
MEd
VEd
MEd /hf MEd /hf VEd
lV

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 Calculation Example with Forces and Moments

 Check strength for shear, normal force and bending moment

 Unit strength of two √3-welds f√3.Rd = 2·a · fyd.w / √3
 Unit strength of two √2-welds f√2.Rd = 2·a · fyd.w / √2
 Length for shear lV = VEd / f√3.Rd
 Length for normal force lN = NEd / f√2.Rd
 Moment resistance reduced due to the shear and axial force
MVN.w.Rd = ½(h + lV + lN) · ½(h – lV – lN) · f√2.Rd
 Select weld throat thickness so that
f
MEd / MVN.w.Rd ≤ 100 % FEd

MEd
t
NEd
½(h+lV +lN) c
a
VEd
½(h–lV –lN) lV +lN h
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 Calculation Example with Forces and Moments

f
FEd
fyd.w = fu / (bwgM2)
h = 100 mm plate height
VEd = FEd sinf c = 80 mm distance
a = 4.0 mm weld throat thickness
NEd = FEd cosf c
fu = 510 MPa parent metal tensile strength
bw = 0.9 correlation factor for fillet welds
MEd = cVEd g M2 = 1.25 partial factor
h f yd.w = 453 MPa weld calculation strength
f√3.Rd = 2·a · fyd.w / √3 F Ed = 70 kN design force
f = 60° angle
f√2.Rd = 2·a · fyd.w / √2 V Ed = 61 kN design shear force
N Ed = 35 kN design normal force
lV = VEd / f√3.Rd M Ed = 4.8 kNm design bending moment
f √3.Rd = 2.1 kN/mm sqrt(3)-weld strength per length
lN = NEd / f√2.Rd f √2.Rd = 2.6 kN/mm sqrt(2)-weld strength per length
lV = 28.952 mm shear length
MVN.w.Rd = ½(h+lV +lN)·½(h–lV –lN)·f√2.Rd lN = 13.648 mm normal force length
M VN .w.Rd = 5.25 kNm reduced plastic moment resistance
Weld throat thickness is selected so that
M Ed / M VN .w.Rd = 92 % utilization rate (not proportional to load)
MEd / MVN.w.Rd ≤ 100 %

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 Calculation Example with Overlapping Plate

 Unit strength of √3-welds f√3.Rd = a · fyd.w / √3

 Unit strength of √2-welds f√2.Rd = a · fyd.w / √2
 Length for shear lV = VEd / f√3.Rd lV ≤ h
 Moment resistance reduced due to the shear
MV.w.Rd = ½(h + lV )·½(h – lV) · f√2.Rd + hl · f√3.Rd
 Select weld throat thickness so that MEd / MV.w.Rd ≤ 100 %

a l e FEd FEd
½(h – lV)
lV h ½(h + lV) VEd

17 VEd = FEd MEd = (l +e)FEd

 Calculation Example with Round Bar

 Total perimeter for shear lV = VEd / f√3.Rd

 Total perimeter for normal force lN = NEd / f√2.Rd
 Total perimeter for torsion lT = TEd / r / f√3.Rd
 Dimensions of perimeter transferring bending moment
a =  /2 – ¼·(lV + lN + lT ) / r
ec = r /a · sina
 Bending moment resistance reduced due to the shear, normal force and
torsion MVNT.w.Rd = 2ec · 2a r · f√2.Rd
2a MEd / MVNT.w.Rd ≤ 100 % e FEd

TEd NEd
2ec lT lN lV d

center of gravity of perimeter transferring

bending moment
18 VEd = FEd MEd = eVEd r= d / 2
 Calculation Example with Round Bar

r= d / 2 e FEd
MEd = eVEd d = 80 mm diameter
TEd NEd e = 140 mm distance
f√3.Rd = a · fyd.w / √3 a = 4.0 mm weld throat thickness
d fu = 510 MPa parent metal tensile strength
f√2.Rd = a · fyd.w / √2 bw = 0.9 correlation factor for fillet welds
g M2 = 1.25 partial factor
lV = VEd / f√3.Rd f yd.w = 453 MPa weld calculation strength
F Ed = V Ed = 30 kN design force and shear
lN = NEd / f√2.Rd N Ed = 50 kN design normal force
T Ed = 4.0 kNm design torsion
M Ed = 4.2 kNm design bending moment
lT = TEd / r / f√3.Rd
f √3.Rd = 1.0 kN/mm sqrt(3)-weld strength per length

a =  /2 – ¼·(lV + lN + lT ) / r f √2.Rd =
lV =
1.3 kN/mm
28.7 mm
sqrt(2)-weld strength per length
total shear perimenter
ec = r /a · sina lN = 39.0 mm total normal force perimeter
lT = 95.5 mm total torsion perimeter
MVNT.w.Rd = 2ec · 2a r · f√2.Rd a = 0.55 rad angle defining perimeter for bending
ec = 38.0 mm center of gravity of perimeter for bending
Weld throat thickness is selected so that M VNT .w.Rd = 4.3 kNm reduced plastic moment resistance

MEd / MVNT.w.Rd ≤ 100 % M Ed / M VNT .w.Rd = 98 % utilization rate (not proportional to load)

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