A novel approach for modelling of water jet peening

Abstract

In this paper, a novel approach, proposed for predicting residual stresses induced on materials treated with high pressure water jets, i.e. water jet peening, is presented. This approach considers the impact pressure distribution due to high velocity droplets impinging on the material surface instead of stationary pressure distribution considered in Trans ASME J Eng Mat Technol 121 (1999) 336 for prediction of residual stresses on water jet peened surfaces. It makes use of Reichardt’s theory for predicting the velocity distribution of droplets and liquid impact theory for predicting the impact pressure and duration of impact of high velocity droplets. For predicting residual stresses on the surface and sub surface of material subjected to water jet peening, finite element modelling approach was adopted by considering the transient, dynamic nature of droplets for analysis. The effectiveness of the proposed approach was demonstrated by comparing the predicted residual stresses with those predicted employing the approach proposed in Trans ASME J Eng Mat Technol 121 (1999) 336. Finally, the practical relevance of the proposed approach was shown by comparing the predicted results with the experimental results obtained by water peening of 6063-T6 aluminium alloy.