Abstract
In this study, bending test was performed on the real-scale, built-up beam test model fabricated by the $CO_2$ arc spot welding to evaluate the applicability of the welding method to the production of the stiffened plate in car-carrying ship. The built-up beam models which were fixed at both ends in longitudinal direction or simply supported to the rigid foundation, depending on the restraint condition of the corresponding car decks considered, were subjected to simulated design vehicle loads or concentrated point loads. During the test, the central deflection and the longitudinal bending stresses were measured from several points on the longitudinal flange face to predict the section properties of the built-up beams. The longitudinal bending stress on each spot weld were also measured to calculate the average horizontal shear force subjected to spot welds. Test results revealed that the shear strength of spot welds with their current weld nugget size and welding pitch was adequate enough to withstand the horizontal shear forces under the design vehicle loads. Although the built-up beam fabricated by the arc spot welding was a discontinuous beam, its mechanical behavior was well explained by the continuous beam theory using the effective breadth of plate. Based on test results, the criterion for the size of spot weld of which the average shear stress might meet the allowable stress requirement of AWS Code could be established.