Numerical study on welding residual stress by double-sided submerged arc welding for orthotropic steel deck

Abstract

The orthotropic steel deck (OSD) is susceptible to fatigue damage under repeated traffic loads, and the welding residual stress (WRS) is an important factor contributing to fatigue damage in OSD. The study on WRS and its distribution is essential for the accurate estimation of the fatigue resistance of U rib-to-deck (RTD) welded joints. A recent emerging double-sided submerged arc welding (DSSAW) technology can generate higher welding temperatures in U rib and deck than traditional arc welding technology, and consequently generate higher welding penetration depth for welding thicker base metal. However, the WRS generated by the DSSAW technology has not yet been investigated. In this study, the finite element (FE) model of OSD with RTD welded joints is established by using a thermo-mechanical sequential coupling calculation method, which is first time to study the WRS generated by DSSAW. Also, the distribution characteristic and generation mechanism of WRS at the RTD welded joints are discussed and analyzed. Moreover, the effects of model length on the WRS simulation results are discussed, and the effects of the deck thickness, the U rib thickness, and the welding sequence on the WRS at RTD joints are analyzed. The findings in this study can help to an in-depth understanding of the WRS generated by the new DSSAW and support further studies on the fatigue resistance of OSD.