Fillet weld design: Transverse fillet welds (welds placed perpendicular to the direction of applied force) are primarily designed on which strength criterion?

Introduction / Context:
Fillet welds are ubiquitous in structural and machine design. Their orientation relative to the applied load determines the critical stress at the weld throat used for sizing and verification.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Transverse fillet weld: weld line is perpendicular to the applied load direction.
• Static loading; small deformations.
• Design checked at the effective throat area.

Concept / Approach:
Transverse fillet welds develop stresses across the throat that act largely in tension due to the load path normal to the weld line. By contrast, longitudinal fillet welds (parallel to the load) are typically designed for shear on the throat area.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard welding design manuals specify transverse fillet weld allowable loads using tensile stress on the throat, while longitudinal weld checks use shear. Empirical tests corroborate the orientation-dependent failure mode.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Compressive and bending checks are not primary for this orientation; shear is primary for longitudinal, not transverse, fillet welds.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing longitudinal and transverse cases; using shear allowables for a transverse throat, leading to unconservative or overconservative results.

Final Answer:

tensile strength