A Study on the Fatigue Strength and Allowable Stress of INVAR(Fe-36% Ni) Steel Lap Joint Applied to Cargo Containment of LNG Carrier

LNG선용 INVAR(Fe-36%Ni)강 Lap 이음부의 피로강도와 허용응력에 관한 연구

This paper is to evaluate the fatigue strength of lap joints of materials applied to LNG carrier cargo containment of GAZ-TRANSPORT(GT) type, which was welded by manual and automatic TIG welding process. The thicknesses of lapped members were 1.5mm/1.5mm or 1.5mm/0.7mm in Invar to Invar joint, and 1.5mm/8.0mm in Invar to stainless steel joint, respectively. These lap joints were mainly applied to the membrance fabrication of GT-LNG carrier. Fatigue tests of Invar/Inar lap joints were conducted under the stress ratio R=0 at room temperature. The effect of mean stress and cumulative fatigue damage on the allowable stress of Invar lap joint was evaluated on the basis of test results. Fatigue test was also conducted on Inver/Stainless steel lap joints welded by automatic TIG process without filler metals. The fatigue test of the joint was carried out under the same conditions as those of Invar/invar lap joints. The fatigue strength of the joint welded without filler metal was comparable to those welded with filler metal quoted from reference. The fatigue strength of Invar/stainless steel lap joint was only dependent on the lap throat thickness, and not on the welding process. Based on test results, the applicability of TIG welding process without filler metal in Invar/stainless steel lap joint was reviewed by controlling welding variables to assure the valid throat thickness of lap joints.