MULTIAXIAL FATIGUE ASSESSMENT OF ALUMINIUM-TO-STEEL WELDED JOINTS

This PhD project aims to formulate and validate, through a systematic experimental investigation, a novel numerical methodology suitable for designing against multiaxial fatigue aluminium-to-steel hybrid welded joints manufactured using both primary and recycled aluminium. Owing to the fact that the multiaxial fatigue behaviour of aluminium-to-steel welded connections has never been investigated systematically before, via this PhD project for the first time specific methods suitable for designing such innovative joints would be developed. To maximise the impact of the outcomes of the present research work, the generated experimental results, the formalised design methods, and the technological innovation will be submitted to the International Institute of Welding (IIW, www.iiw.org) to be incorporated in the IIW Recommendations.