Mechanics and modelling of high frequency mechanical impact and its effect on fatigue

High frequency mechanical impact is a recent improvement method which is probably one of the most effective for treating welded assemblies. A number of experimental results relating to this process are presented in this article. These results lead to better understand the mechanisms of the process, to outline the influence of the operating parameters and to confirm the role played by the initial quality of treated welds. In addition, a process is proposed in order to numerically estimate the fatigue life improvement reached after treatment. All these results were obtained in the scope of a study whose long-term aim is to propose an approach that can be industrially applicable for fatigue design of welded assemblies treated by high frequency mechanical impact.