Kinetics of Residual Stresses in a Welded Frameless Tubular Node

Abstract

The results of experimental studies of the variation of residual stresses in a frameless tubular node of the offshore stationary platform (OSP) due to technological effects on the metal are presented. It is shown in the paper that the value of the tensile residual stresses in sheet rolled products with 20-50 mm of thickness reaches 80-65 MPa. As a result of the subsequent technological redistribution, the residual stresses change in magnitude and sign, and reach 0.8-1.2 of the yield strength of the base metal. The most unfavorable from the point of view of the serviceability of OSP are the tensile residual stresses in welded joints, the maximum value of which is 350...500 MPa. High temperature tempering after welding does not always lead to the desired result: in the heat-affected zone of the corner joints of nozzles mounting to the waist tube of the node, the residual stresses amount to 120-150 MPa. Preheating temperatures in the range of 120-1600С do not have a significant effect on the value of residual welding stresses. For more effective reduction of σrs , its value should be 200-4500С, depending on the thickness of the joined parts and the strength class of the steel.