Effects of the Load History on the Residual Stress Distribution in Welded Components

Abstract

The lifetime of a welded component is finally influenced by the various service conditions. The stress redistribution effect of subsequent load histories is fundamental to the load-bearing capacity of a structure later in service. Since every welded structure additionally experiences external shrinkage restraint, the resulting structural loads are very important for mechanical assessment. Forward-looking development of materials furthermore requires particular consideration of in-service load histories and of their effects on the global structural loads of a construction under shrinkage restraint. Using a large-scale test facility, stress and residual stress investigations have been performed relating to the subject area of residual stress redistribution resulting from a simulated load history. Based on the presented results, which were all carried out with matching filler materials, further research work concerning the influence of the variation of the mismatch factor on the residual stress distribution has to be done.