Abstract: Structural stress in a fatigue-prone region of a structure is determined and analyzed by using: i) the nodal forces and displacement values in the fatigue-prone region, or ii) equilibrium equivalent simple stress states consistent with elementary structural mechanics in the fatigue-prone region. Of course, it is contemplated that combinations, equivalents, or variations of the recited bases may alternatively be employed.

Abstract: Structural stress in a fatigue-prone region of a structure is determined by using the nodal forces and displacement values in the fatigue-prone region, or equilibrium-equivalent simple stress states consistent with elementary structural mechanics in the fatigue-prone region. The determination is substantially independent of mesh size and is particularly well-suited for applications where S-N curves are used in weld fatigue design and evaluation, where S represents nominal stress or stress range and N represents the number of cycles to failure.

Abstract: This need is met by the present invention wherein structural stress in a fatigue-prone region of a structure is determined by using the nodal forces and displacement values in the fatigue-prone region, or equilibrium-equivalent simple stress states consistent with elementary structural mechanics in the fatigue-prone region. The determination is substantially independent of mesh size and is particularly well-suited for applications where S-N curves are used in weld fatigue design and evaluation, where S represents nominal stress or stress range and N represents the number of cycles to failure. The present invention is directed to structural stress analysis through various combinations of modeling, calculation, and direct measurement schemes.

Abstract: This need is met by the present invention wherein structural stress in a fatigue-prone region of a structure is determined by using the nodal forces and displacement values in the fatigue-prone region, or equilibrium-equivalent simple stress states consistent with elementary structural mechanics in the fatigue-prone region. The determination is substantially independent of mesh size and is particularly well-suited for applications where S-N curves are used in weld fatigue design and evaluation, where S represents nominal stress or stress range and N represents the number of cycles to failure. The present invention is directed to structural stress analysis through various combinations of modeling, calculation, and direct measurement schemes.

Abstract: A composite resistance spot welding electrode is disclosed which comprises a co-axial annular neck ring, a co-axial insert, a co-axial annular sleeve, or combinations there of. The electrode provides improved nugget formation and longer electrode life.

Abstract: A method for determining a model for a welding simulation, and the associated model. The method includes the steps of determining a history annihilation model of a material being welded, determining a strain hardening model of the material being welded, determining a three-dimensional virtual elements detection model of the material being welded, and incorporating the above models into a constitutive model for the welding simulation.

Abstract: This need is met by the present invention wherein structural stress in a fatigue-prone region of a structure is determined by using the nodal forces and displacement values in the fatigue-prone region, or equilibrium-equivalent simple stress states consistent with elementary structural mechanics in the fatigue-prone region. The determination is substantially independent of mesh size and is particularly well-suited for applications where S-N curves are used in weld fatigue design and evaluation, where S represents nominal stress or stress range and N represents the number of cycles to failure. The present invention is directed to structural stress analysis through various combinations of modeling, calculation, and direct measurement schemes.