Residual Stresses in As-Welded Joints: Finite Element Modeling and Neutron Difraction Stress Measurements

Abstract

This paper describes the numerical analysis method used to estimate welding induced residual stresses in K-shape tubular bridge joints. The knowledge of residual stress distribution is required to design the geometry of K-joints loaded under fatigue stresses. Numerical simulations are focused on the arc welding MAG process, generally used to weld joints in bridge construction. Thermo-mechanical analyses are performed in 3D using two finite element codes:ABAQUS® and MORFEO® . ABAQUS has the advantage to offer large analysis capabilities(nonlinear, transient, dynamic, etc.) whereas MORFEO is more dedicated to welding processes and offers the possibility to analyze crack propagation under fatigue loads. Computed residual stresses in the region surrounding the weld are compared with measured residual stresses in order to estimate the ability of the codes to reproduce these stresses. Position, orientation and magnitude of the highest residual stress components are discussed.