A REVIEW ON STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF WELDED JOINTS IN NAVAL SHIP SYSTEMS: FAILURE MECHANISMS AND PREDICTIVE MODELLING APPROACH

Abstract

This review investigates the structural integrity of welded joints in naval ship systems, focusing on failure mechanisms and predictive modelling. Welded joints, vital to naval vessels, endure harsh conditions like cyclic loading, corrosive marine environments, and impact stresses, leading to failure modes such as fatigue cracking, hydrogen-induced cracking, corrosion-fatigue, and brittle fracture, often worsened by weld imperfections like porosity and residual stresses. Microstructural changes in the heat-affected zone further compromise durability. The study evaluates advanced predictive approaches, including finite element analysis, fracture mechanics, probabilistic models, and emerging machine learning and digital twin technologies for real-time assessment. Case studies of naval failures highlight the need for multi-scale modelling to improve reliability. Challenges in model validation, due to limited in-service data and multi-physics complexity, are discussed, with recommendations for standardized testing and hybrid modelling frameworks. This work underscores the importance of interdisciplinary advancements to enhance design, maintenance, and regulatory standards, ensuring safety, longevity, and cost-effectiveness in naval architectures.