Electromagnetic Shielding Effectiveness of Steel Sheets with Partly Welded Seams

The effect of single welding flaws on the electromagnetic (EM) effectiveness of welded steel enclosures has been assessed. The possibility of resonant reradiation by these flaws has been examined, using resonance calculations and direct EM measurements. Using these results, a method was developed for assessing shielding quality of hardened military structures, such as SAFEGUARD sites, and EM shielded enclosures. The effect of four formns of incomplete welds on the shielding effectiveness of welded steel enclosures was determined for single flaws. Electromagnetic shielding effectiveness tests (from 10 kHz to 10 GHz) were made on various test specimens of 11-gauge steel plate. These test specimens included butted plates with incomplete welds and plates with single holes and slots cut into them. Tests simulated the worst cases of cracks, lack of fusion, and porosity. Shielding effectiveness as a function of flaw size was determined for each defect, and a critical or transition flaw size was determined for each of three frequency bands and at the 100-dB shielding level for each type defect. The measured results were compared to a calculated resonance response by modeling the flaws as slot antennas.