Temperature distribution and residual stresses during multipass narrow gap welding of thick plates

In a multipass welding operation, the temperature distribution and residual stresses developed in the material change with each weld pass, and are therefore more complicated than those of single-pass welding. In the present study, two methods-testing and finite element analysis (FEA) - were used to determine the temperature distribution in thick plate with narrow gap during multipass submerged arc welding (SAW). The residual stresses on the top surface, bottom surface and along the thickness direction at some distance away from the weld line are presented. The results are compared with those calculated by FEA. These are used to validate the finite element model which is then used to appraise the weld performance.