Comparison of approaches for fatigue design of different tubular joint type

Different methods have been adopted by different standards or codes for the fatigue design of different tubular joints. These fatigue design standards recommend the use of mostly the classification method and or the hot spot stress method. Other methods such as the effective notch stress approach and the mesh-insensitive structural stress method have also gained prominence in fatigue design but are yet to be widely used by most of the currently available standards. This paper will summarize the different fatigue design rules that are currently available for the design of different joint types in tubular structures. The review shows the comprehensive nature of the fatigue rules that are available in the hot spot stress method compared to the classification method. Areas of further research that are important in complimenting current fatigue design guidelines are identified.