Application of the method of nonplanar sections to determine stresses in the zones of concentration caused by weld reinforcement in butt-welded joints

A procedure for determining stresses in butt-welded joints, which is based on the hypothesis of nonplanar sections, has been justified. The analytical expressions describing the variation of normal stresses in the concentration zone both over the contour and the depth of the joint have been obtained. At the point, where the concentration reaches its maximum value, the expression for calculating the stress concentration factor has been derived. The results from the calculation of the stress concentration factor are compared with those in references. The expressions for determining both the stress gradient at any point in the section, which is beyond the stress concentration zone, and the relative stress gradient at the point where the stress attains its maximum value have been obtained.