Abstract: Integrity assessment and fatigue life prediction of welded joints containing defects in hull structures are introduced, and the K criteria, COD criteria, J integral criterion, SINTAP/FITNET safety assessment method and process, and domestic and international standards for structural integrity assessment are introduced. The factors affecting the fatigue strength of welded joints, such as the average stress, residual stress and stress concentration in the joint geometry, are also analyzed. Common methods for fatigue life prediction of welded joints are introduced, such as nominal stress-based assessment methods, fracture mechanics-based assessment methods, damage mechanics-based assessment methods and other fatigue assessment methods. In addition, the functional relationship between the welded residual stress and fatigue crack extension life established based on the fracture mechanics method is introduced, which can realize the accurate prediction of fatigue life of welded structures containing residual stress.