Evaluation of Tensile Shear Strength for Lap Joint of Dissimilar Steels

Abstract

The influence of different thickness combinations was investigated on the strength of the lap joint of dissimilar steels. In this study, lap joints of dissimilar steels were welded by laser welding. The tensile shear test was conducted for the lap joints. Rotational deformation process around the weld bead of the lap joint was observed by a digital video camera during the test. Motion analysis from the video of the tensile shear test indicated that the rotation angle around the weld bead was reduced by overlapping higher strength grade steel. Three-dimensional elastic-plastic finite element analysis was performed for the tensile shear test of the lap joint. The numerically calculated deformation behavior of the lap joint subjected to tensile shear loading showed reasonable agreement with the experimental record. It was found that the rotation angle was reduced and tensile shear strength of the lap joint increase by overlapping higher strength grade steel sheet.