Measurement and prediction of residual stresses in a thick section steel welds

The aim of this paper is to review recent developments in the measurement and prediction of residual stresses in thick section steel welds. Particular reference is made to the use of the deep hole method for measurement of residual stress. Results are presented from detailed measurements and predictions of the through thickness residual stresses in stainless steel welds. Some of the components are of complex shape and these thick section components are particularly challenging owing to the complexity of the geometry, both for the application of the deep hole method and finite element analysis. Residual stress predictions were made using an ABAQUS based finite element simulation of multi-pass welding. The similarities between the measurements and predictions provide increased confidence in the measurement technique and the use of FE as a predictive tool.