The electron beam welding of 7xxx series alloys leads to modification of their microstructure and consequently of their mechanical behavior. This study aimed to formulate a constitutive law including damage for welded structures by a local approach of fracture. For this purpose, the weld microstructure and the resulting mechanical properties have been characterized. The relationship between fine scale precipitate distribution and plastic properties has been established, as well as the relationship between coarse precipitation and micro-mechanisms of damage. The finite elements model takes into account the plastic behavior of the different zones and reproduces the damage behavior of the fusion zone, which is the weakest link of the structure due to evaporation of alloying elements during welding. This model has been validated in a large variety of stress conditions (sample geometry, notch).
