Effects of Welding Sequence on Residual Stress and Deformation in U-Rib Double-Sided Welded Joints

This paper numerically investigates the effect of welding sequence on the residual stress and dcformation in the U-rib double-sided welded joints. Based on the thermo-elasto-plastic theory, the temperature fields, welding residual stress and deformation in the U-rib double-sided welded joints were analyzed, when four different welding sequences were considered, including internal welding—*¦ backing welding—«-cosmetic welding(sequence 1), backing welding—«-cosmetic welding—»internal welding(sequence 2), parallel internal and backing welding^-cosmetic welding(sequence 3), and backing welding—«-parallel internal welding and cosmetic weldingCsequence 4). The results demonstrate that the temperature spikes at the roots of the internal and external welded joints by all the four welding sequences as the thermal sources pass by, but drop while thermal sources being far away from the inspection point. As the internal and external welding is carried out in tandem, there appears localized thermal superposition, which leads to surge of peak temperature at the welding toes. The distribution of residual Stresses in the welded joints and their heat-affected zones is complex, and the residual tensile stress is mainly distributed within the 50 mm ränge of the centerline of the specimen, and the transverse residual stress is smaller than the longitudinal residual stress. By sequence 2, the peak lateral residual tensile stress is 11. 9% lowcr than that by sequence 4. The deformation of the specimen shows sign of from increase to decrease along the upper surface of the deck. By sequence 2, the vertical deformation is the smallest. Comprehensively considering the transverse residual stress and deformation, the sequence 2 is recommended for the U-rib double-sided welding. © 2025 Wuhan Bridge Media Co., Ltd., MBEC. All rights reserved.