FEM analysis of residual stress distribution near weld start/end location in thick plates

Residual stresses in a welded structure often reached to or even over the yield strengths of base metal and weld metal. Tensile residual stress is a main factor resulting in stress corrosion cracking, fatigue damage and brittle fracture. Generally, welding cracking and flaw frequently occurs at the weld start/end location. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the feature of welding residual stress distribution near the weld start/end location. In the present work, both numerical simulation technology and experimental method were used to study welding residual stress distribution in a thick plate joint with a special groove. Meanwhile, an emphasis was played on examining the characteristics of welding residual stress distribution near the weld start/end location. Moreover, the influence of deposition sequence and direction on the welding residual stress distribution was clarified by means of numerical simulation method.

► The feature of residual stress distribution near weld start/end location was investigated.
► Residual stress distribution near weld/start location has a large gradient.
► Deposition sequence significantly affects welding residual stress distribution.