Fatigue behavior of square tube-to-plate welded joints in bogie frames: Experimental study and traction structural stress modeling

In this study, the fatigue behavior of tube-to-plate welded joints with single- and double-sided girth welds in bogie frames is investigated based on the experimental investigations of seven specimens and the traction structural stress analysis method. Four fatigue failure modes of welded joints in bogie frames could be accurately predicted using the traction structural stress-based analysis method by comparison with the full-scale fatigue tests. The specimens failed at internal toe-tube and toe-plate failure modes, accurately predicted using the traction structural stress method and suitably measured using a real-time phased-array imaging technique. The investigation capability of the experimental and numerical results indicates that the fatigue failure mode and cyclic life are not significantly affected by a change in the square tube diameter dimensions.