Finite Element Analysis of Thermal Tensioning Techniques Mitigating Weld Buckling Distortion

摘要

Weld distortion in thin section structures usually is caused by buckling due to residual stresses. In addition to conventional techniques, including reduction of weld size and design modifications, new techniques such as thermal tensioning can be used to minimize welding-induced buckling. This paper presents a finite element analysis model of the thermal tensioning technique. A series of finite element simulations and corresponding experiments are performed to demonstrate the technique. Thermocouple measurements are performed to verify the transient thermal analyses and blind hole drilling measurements are used to verify the predicted residual stresses. Implementing the thermal tensioning conditions determined by the finite element simulations, the residual stresses of large size and high heat input welds are reduced below the critical buckling level.