Prediction on the fatigue life of butt-welded specimens using artificial neural network

Fatigue tests for extremely thick plates require a great deal of manufacturing time and are expensive to perform. Therefore, if predictions could be made through simulation models such as an artificial neural network (ANN), manufacturing time and costs could be greatly reduced. In order to verify the effects of fatigue strength depending on the various factors in SM520C-TMC steels, this study constructed an ANN and conducted the learning process using the parameters of calculated stress concentration factor, thickness and input heat energy, etc. The results showed that the ANN could be applied to the prediction of fatigue life.