The Commission develops industrially relevant design recommendation documents and science-based guidelines through expert analysis of new scientific results, design challenges, and the application of innovative technologies. Technical presentations and discussions in Commission XIII focus on new scientific results and the application of innovative technologies to avoid fatigue failures in welded structures. The Working Unit has a strong history of producing important guideline documents - such as for the structural hot spot stress design method and fatigue strength improvement techniques – and is currently developing several new science-based guidelines that can be applied to challenging design and life extension cases, e.g., “Guideline for Statistical Analysis of Fatigue Results” and “Retrofitting Engineering for Fatigue Damaged Steel Bridge Structures.” Together with C-XVIII, the Commission has developed “IIW Guidelines on Weld Quality in Relationship to Fatigue Strength” which has also been developed further as ISO TS-20273: 2017. Several working groups have guidelines at varying levels of maturity. A guideline for post-weld fatigue strength improvement of welded structures in high-strength steel and for implementing high-frequency mechanical impact treatment as a means of improving fatigue strength also being developed. Best practice guidelines for the measurement of residual stress and implementation in fatigue design are also part of our long-term ambitions. The growing interest in the fatigue performance of additively manufactured parts is accommodated within the existing organization structure but is likely to soon form a discrete working group. Perhaps our most important general guideline, curated between C-XIII and C-XV, is our Fatigue Design Rules where a work programme is constantly underway to maintain and periodically update this highly regarded guidance.

The experts that contribute to Commission XIII have developed a strong network, combining the interests of leading global companies and major international universities and research institutes. Industries which benefit from Commission XIII publications include shipbuilding, air and rail transportation, bridge and infrastructure, offshore, automotive, energy, mechanical engineering, and process equipment.