SIMULATION AND MEASUREMENT OF RESIDUAL STRESSES IN A STAINLESS STEEL RING WELDED CIRCULAR DISC

Residual stresses were predicted and measured in a circular disc containing a partial ring weld. This study first created an axisymmetric finite element model so that the process of introducing the ring weld was simulated using thermal and mechanical modelling. The resulting residual stresses were then mapped onto a 3D model which included the necessary mesh and boundary conditions to simulate the process of residual stress measurement using the deep hole drilling method. Then an experimental programme of residual stress measurement using the deep hole drilling method and the neutron diffraction technique was conducted on the welded circular disc. The results from the deep hole drilling measurements matched well with the neutron diffraction results on the original stress field in the ring weld. While comparison between measurements and predicted residual stresses show that predicted hoop stresses are slightly higher than measured, there is in general a fair comparison between measured and predicted residual stress.