Ring Stiffeners Research Articles

Experimental Analysis of a Novel GFRP Stiffened Pipe

This study presents a new GFRP pipe structure fabricated by a combination of continuous and spacing arrangement of filament winding, where the latter was used to form the stiffened part and the former to form the structural part. Results of comparative analysis through a series of flatwise compression tests indicate that, with the same material consumptions, up to 38.7% increase in ring stiffness was achieved by the stiffened outer pipes with diameter of 400 mm, compared with the plain ones. The failure mode of this proposed pipe is ductile fracture during the loading process, and its bearing capacity did not decrease rapidly after fiber failure. The stiffened inner pipes with diameter of 500 mm exhibited an average of 16.7% increase in ring stiffness compared with the plain ones, while both types of specimens showed the same failure mode with delamination occurring between the stiffened layer and outer structural layer. From the experimental investigation, it is concluded that suitable geometric shape can significantly improve the ring stiffness of the specimens, which provides a guidance for structural design of pipelines and their geometric optimization.

Investigation of hot spot stress for welded tubular K-joints with stiffeners

Steel stiffeners can be utilized to reinforce the welded hollow section K-joints, possibly bringing about a different magnitude and distribution of hot spot stress from the traditional joints without stiffeners. There is a lack of knowledge on the hot spot stress and its calculation method for the welded tubular K-joints with stiffeners, especially under complex load cases, which has hindered the fatigue design. With regard to an engineering practice of a bridge under construction, this paper investigates the distribution and magnitude of hot spot stress and its calculation method. Experimental tests including two load cases are conducted to provide a benchmark for the finite element (FE) modelling. FE analysis is carried out to investigate the influence of stiffeners on the hot spot stress ranges at several critical locations, covering the parameters including number, thickness and position of internal ring stiffeners. The hot spot stress calculation method is then developed based on the superposition concept. It is found that the hot spot stress ranges near the stiffeners are relatively large, in addition to those at crowns and saddles. The locations of interest include not only crowns and saddles but also the locations at the intersection of stiffener contours and intersection lines. The maximum hot spot stress ranges can be reduced by 55.7% in chords and 37.4% in braces by setting stiffeners. The developed hot spot stress calculation method is verified for the welded tubular K-joints with stiffeners. In addition, a fatigue test on the welded tubular K-joints with stiffeners is performed. • Investigate the hot spot stress distribution and magnitude of the welded tubular K-joints with stiffeners. • Conduct experimental tests of the specimens in two combined load cases. • Analyze the effects of steel stiffeners on the hot spot stress ranges of welded tubular K-joints using FE modelling method. • Extend the hot spot stress calculation method for the welded tubular K-joints with stiffeners. • Perform a fatigue test on the welded tubular K-joints with stiffeners.

Buckling resistance of the cylindrical shells with two secondary stiffening rings under external pressure

The common way to amplify strength and stiffness of the tank wall is to use the stiffening rings. These stiffening rings can be classified as the primary and secondary stiffening rings (PSRs and SSRs). PSR is placed around the top of the tank shell and it assists to avoid ovalization at the top when the open-top tank is exposed to the external pressure. PSR having small dimensions may be used for fixed roof tanks since the roof system attached to the top of the cylindrical shell provides a natural restraint at this location. On the other hand, one or more SSRs may be required to preclude local buckling in both fixed and open-top cylindrical steel tanks (CSTs) which are exposed to external pressure. The requirements of single secondary stiffening ring have been investigated in detail in previous studies. However, in same cases, a single SSR does not provide sufficient resistance to maintain stability over the entire shell height. Thus, buckling capacity of the CSTs with two identical secondary stiffening rings have been explored in this present work. Pursuant to this aim, the requirements for stiffness of the SSRs which are given in terms of minimum second moment of area (SMA) were evaluated by performing Linear Elastic Bifurcation Analysis (LBA) of CSTs under uniform external pressure. Analysis results show that minimum SMA expression proposed by Blackler underestimates critical buckling value for the tanks, having especially low height-to-diameter ratios and low radius-to-thickness ratios. Furthermore, to trace strength reduction in the tank due to geometrical imperfections, Geometrically Nonlinear Analysis including Imperfections (GNIA) was performed. Analysis findings affirm that thin-walled structures are very sensitive to geometrical imperfections.

Experimental and numerical studies on the hot spot stress calculation method for welded CHS X-joints stiffened by internal ring stiffeners

Ring stiffeners are usually used to enhance the strengths of welded hollow section joints, which may change the magnitude and distribution of hot spot stress around intersections related to the fatigue life of the joints. Up to date, there is no relevant research on the hot spot stress and its calculation method for welded CHS X-joints with internal ring stiffeners in combined load cases, causing a lack of confidence in the fatigue design process. Experimental tests including two types of load cases are firstly carried out to provide a reference for the finite element (FE) modeling. FE analysis is conducted to investigate the influence of internal ring stiffeners on hot spot stress, covering a variety of numbers, thicknesses and spacing of internal ring stiffeners. The hot spot stress calculation method is developed. A fatigue test is subsequently conducted. It is shown that the hot spot stress near the intersection region of the ring stiffeners and tubes is relatively large in addition to those at the crowns and saddles. The locations of interest include both traditional locations and intersection locations of ring stiffener contours and tube contours. Setting ring stiffeners can averagely reduce the hot spot stress ranges by 23.6% in chord and 27.8% in brace, respectively. The extended hot spot stress calculation method is verified for the fatigue design of welded CHS X-joints with ring stiffeners. In the subsequent fatigue test, fatigue failure is found at the intersection locations. A dynamic effect is also observed which is related to the change in load eccentricity. The fatigue strength curve specified in CIDECT design guide No.8 could also be applicable to predict the fatigue life of the welded CHS X-joint with ring stiffeners.

Seepage induced displacements of suction caissons: FE analysis

Finite element analyses of suction caissons are performed under seepage flow in elastic soil. Poroelastic water elements are used underneath the caisson lid allowing for modelling of suction and inducing seepage flow into the caisson compartment. A detailed parametric study is undertaken exploring the effects of caisson aspect ratio, soil-caisson interface roughness, caisson inner ring stiffeners, and potential gap formation between caisson outer wall and soil, and soil permeability on caisson upward displacement. The results indicate that caisson roughness and stiffeners affect caisson displacement behaviour. A rough caisson causes earlier dissipation of suction hence caisson upward displacements are minimal for a rough caisson compared to a smooth caisson. A steady state seepage condition is only achieved for a smooth caisson with no stiffeners. Presence of stiffeners and surface roughness leads to a halt in caisson upward displacement. Any potential gap along the outer skirt interface enhances the upward displacement for a smooth non-stiffened caisson, but not for a caisson with stiffeners or a rough caisson. For the smooth non-stiffened caissons, unified equations are proposed to estimate seepage length and caisson displacement for soils with different permeabilities.

Deformation behaviors and failure mechanism of segmental RC lining under unloading condition

A shield tunnel lining structure is a type of complex structure system, and few systematic studies have been performed on its transverse deformation response under upper unloading conditions. In this paper, a sophisticated numerical model of segmental rings considering rebars, bolts, sealing grooves and caulking grooves was built to analyze the transverse deformation response of shield tunnels under upper unloading conditions. The failure mechanism of the segmental ring was studied based on the plastic hinge theory, and the controlling index of convergence deformation was proposed for engineering applications. Meanwhile, the structural response and failure process of the segmental ring under unloading were compared with those under continuous loading conditions. The results show that with the decrease in load, the tunnel deformation mode changes from the horizontal ellipse to the vertical ellipse, and the maximum vertical convergence deformation of the segmental ring is 46.3 mm when the unloading ratio is 0.68. The bending moment and axial force of the segmental ring decreases, subsequently reverses and keeps increasing until the structure failure. Concrete cracks mainly appear on the waist, crown and invert of the shield tunnel and penetrate along the thickness and longitudinal directions. The plastic hinge successively forms at 73°, 287°, 180°, 8°, and 352° locations during unloading. The variation in the segmental ring stiffness under the overlying unloading condition first recovers and subsequently continues decreasing until structural failure.

Vibration Characteristics Analysis of O-Shaped Damping Ring to Balance Damping Gear Transmission System for Three-Cylinder Engine

Balance shafts are often used to improve the engine vibration characteristics of three-cylinder engines. The balance damping gear with a damping ring is an important part connecting the crankshaft and the balance shaft transmission. The stiffness characteristics of the damping ring and the unbalance of the gear have an important influence on its vibration suppression performance, but the coupled influence of the stiffness characteristics of the damping ring and the unbalanced characteristics of the vibration damping gear is unknown. In this paper, a multi-body dynamic bending–torsional coupling model of the transmission system of a three-cylinder engine with a balance damping gear is constructed considering the equivalent stiffness of the balance shaft support. Based on the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method, the influence laws of different rotational speeds, load torques, gear unbalance, radial stiffness and torsional stiffness of the damping ring on the vibration characteristics of the transmission system are obtained. The results show that the vibration amplitude increases linearly with the increase in the rotational speed and the amount of unbalance. As the load torque increases, the noise radiation of the system increases. The change in the equivalent torsional stiffness of the damping ring has little effect on the radial vibration suppression effect of the gear. As the equivalent radial stiffness of the damping ring increases, the vibration suppression rate decreases linearly. Combined with the calculation formula of damping ring stiffness, when the inner and outer diameters of the damping ring are relatively large, the vibration suppression performance decreases sharply with the increase in the thickness of the damping ring. Therefore, in order to achieve a better vibration attenuation effect, the inner to outer diameter ratio of the damping ring should be given priority in the design of the damping gear. Thus, the thickness of the design can meet the requirements of the vibration attenuation performance and a vibration attenuation of more than 90% of the radial vibration can be achieved. The model of the damping ring size and the vibration suppression effect established based on the method presented in this paper can be used to guide the design of balance damping gears.

Synthesis of eugenol-based phosphorus-containing epoxy for enhancing the flame-retardancy and mechanical performance of DGEBA epoxy resin

In this work, we designed a eugenol-based intrinsically flame-retardant epoxy monomer bis(2-methoxy-4-(oxirane-2-ylmethyl) phenyl) phenyl phosphonate (BEEP). At first, an intermediate product BEP was compounded by eugenol and phenyl phosphonic dichloride, and the bio-based epoxy monomer BEEP was acquired by the epoxidation of BEP with 3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid. Then different ratios of BEEP and commercial bisphenol A-type epoxy resin (DER) were blended and cured with 4,4-diaminodiphenyl methane (DDM). The addition of BEEP enhanced the reactivity of DER/BEEP-DDM systems, whose activation energy fitted by Kissinger's and Ozawa's theories decreased from 50.66 and 55.12 kJ/mol to 47.49 and 51.63 kJ/mol, respectively. Compared with neat DER-DDM epoxy, the flexural strength and flexural modulus promoted from 69.4 MPa and 1.57 GPa to 74.5 MPa and 3.60 GPa, when adding 20 wt% of BEEP (D8B2), due to the stiffness of benzene rings in BEEP. Importantly, with a low phosphorus content of 1.0% in the D8B2 sample, the cured epoxy achieved 27.5% of the limit oxygen index and UL-94 V0 rating. Overall, this work provides a facile route for preparing a bio-based epoxy monomer to enhance the flame-retardancy and mechanical performance of DGEBA epoxy resin.

Abstract P1024: 3d Cardiac Tissue Rings With Exogenous Extracellular Matrix As A Model For Cardiac Fibrosis

Introduction: Cardiac fibrosis, or excess deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) within heart muscle, acts as a protective mechanism following cardiac injury, but causes long-term heart stiffening and impaired contraction. In vitro models aid in understanding cardiac disease mechanisms, but current fibrosis models lack (i) native-like ECM and (ii) interactions between multiple cardiac cell types. Objective: Our 3D model containing induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CM) and cardiac fibroblasts (CF) with exogenous ECM will reproducibly assess contractile changes under fibrotic conditions. Methods: Human GCaMP-encoded iPSC-CM (day 19) and CF (3:1) were combined in a custom agarose ring mold with collagen I (Col) (0.02 or 0.5 mg/mL), laminin (Lam) (0.01 mg/mL), both Col+Lam (0.03 mg/mL), Matrigel (0.03 mg/mL), or no ECM, n=5 for each condition. Concentrations were based on in vivo ratios of Col and Lam in literature. After 24 hours, cells self-assembled into 3D rings (Fig. 1a). Results: All conditions formed robust rings; average thickness = 460 μm (Fig.1b, c). Spontaneous beating resumed 48 hours after seeding. After 3 days in culture, Ca 2+ flux videos were captured; rings without ECM displayed shorter contraction durations, as did Col+Lam rings (Fig. 1d, e). This suggests that exogenous ECM in ratios found in healthy hearts may aid in contraction. Conclusion: This ring platform provides a reproducible cardiac fibrosis model with native-like ECM conditions and interactions between multiple cardiac cell types. Further assessments of ring stiffness and additional ECM conditions will enable this model to be used in therapeutic development.

Experimental and numerical investigation on stress concentration at brace-ring intersection (BRI) of internally ring stiffened tubular T-joints

In oil and gas industry, jacket structures are commonly used in shallow to moderate water depth to support drilling and production facilities. The jacket structures, especially joints are subjected to cyclic loads from wind and waves and require special attention for fatigue induced cracks. Thickened cans are normally used in such locations to reduce the local deformation and associated hot spot stresses, and in some cases use of internal ring stiffeners have been employed as a substitute to limit the large thickness at joints. Performance of such ring stiffeners at the joints against local deformation has been established and empirical equations to determine the stress concentration factor (SCF) at the brace-chord intersection has been in use developed by Lloyds Register. However, the SCF at the Brace Ring Intersection (BRI) has not been well established, leading to failure of joint. Hence a comprehensive study involving large number of linear finite element simulations for varying parameters of chord, brace and rings have been carried out to obtain database of SCFs at BRI location and validated by experiments. Parametric study has been carried out considering slenderness ratio (γ), diameter ratio (β), thickness ratio (τ), depth ratio (η), and thickness ratio of ring (τr). Set of empirical equations have been developed using power regression model to calculate the SCFs at BRI locations in addition to brace-chord intersection.

Mechanics of stabilized intercellular bridges

Numerous engineered and natural systems form through reinforcement and stabilization of a deformed configuration that was generated by a transient force. An important class of such structures arises during gametogenesis, when a dividing cell undergoes incomplete cytokinesis, giving rise to daughter cells that remain connected through a stabilized intercellular bridge (ICB). ICBs can form through arrest of the contractile cytokinetic furrow and its subsequent stabilization. Despite knowledge of the molecular components, the mechanics underlying robust ICB assembly and the interplay between ring contractility and stiffening are poorly understood. Here, we report joint experimental and theoretical work that explores the physics underlying robust ICB assembly. We develop a continuum mechanics model that reveals the minimal requirements for the formation of stable ICBs, and validate the model’s equilibrium predictions through a tabletop experimental analog. With insight into the equilibrium states, we turn to the dynamics: we demonstrate that contractility and stiffening are in dynamic competition and that the time intervals of their action must overlap to ensure assembly of ICBs of biologically observed proportions. Our results highlight a mechanism in which deformation and remodeling are tightly coordinated—one that is applicable to several mechanics-based applications and is a common theme in biological systems spanning several length scales.

Dynamic analysis of the variable stiffness support rotor system with elastic rings

Elastic rings are common rotor supporting structure, which have been widely used in aeroengine rotor support system. However, large inertia force and gyroscopic moment may occur during the operation of aeroengine, which may lead to contact between elastic ring and bearing pedestal, and then introduce variable stiffness into the rotor support system. In this paper, a mathematical model of variable stiffness of elastic ring is proposed and this model is subsequently verified by comparison with simulation analysis and experimental results. Based on this model, a variable stiffness model of an elastic ring-supported rotor is developed by coupling the kinetic equations of the rotor with the deformation of the combined support. Then, the spectrum cascades are used to analyze the dynamic characteristics of the rotor system. In addition, the influences of the variable stiffness of elastic ring on the critical speed of the system are also examined. Finally, some simulation results are verified by experiments on a combined test bench of an elastic ring-supported rotor.

Energy Transfer of an Axially Loaded Beam With a Parallel-Coupled Nonlinear Vibration Isolator

Abstract Traditional vibration isolation of satellite instruments has an inherent limitation that low-frequency vibration suppression leads to structural instability. This paper explores a parallel-coupled quasi-zero stiffness (QZS) vibration isolator for an axially loaded beam, with the goal of enhancing the effectiveness of low-frequency isolation. A QZS contains two magnetic rings, which contribute negative stiffness, and one spiral spring, with positive stiffness, a combination that has high static stiffness to resolve the structural instability. The frequency response functions (FRFs) of power flow are used to measure the effectiveness of vibration isolation. The magnetic stiffness of the magnetic rings is calculated using the principle of equivalent magnetic charge. The heights, radii, and gap of the magnetic rings affect its stiffness. The parallel-coupled QZS vibration isolator of an axially loaded beam is modeled using an energy method. Based on the Galerkin truncation, harmonic balance analysis, and arc-length continuation, an approach is proposed to analyze the FRFs of power flow for the parallel-coupled QZS vibration isolation of an axially loaded beam. Numerical results support the analytical results. Both analytical and numerical results show that the power reduction of axially loaded beams with a parallel-coupled quasi-zero vibration isolation system is more significantly suppressed at low frequencies.

Evaluating Parameters of Bearing Capacity of Ring Footings

Because of its durability, structural ring footings have been used under the maritime structure’s shallow foundations for many years. so, the efficacy and application of shallow foundations ring footings typically are little understood. These footings was tested for the bearing capacity of this research in a laboratory. The impact of ring depth and stiffness on the bearing capacities of ring footing models was studied in this respect. Ring footings design was based on the structural and geometry requirements. it was estimated that using structural rings would increase the support capacities of both soil-rings and soil-footing depth by 1.62 times. The behavior of a ring footing resting on (sand, clay, sand over clay, clay over sand) soil exposed to vertical stresses was investigated in laboratory experiments. A small-scale physical model was built and tested to achieve this goal. included an aluminum circular footing with a diameter of 100 mm and a d/D ratio of (0,0.33,0.5,0.67,0.95) to see how the d/D ratio affected bearing capacity along with different embedding depths to observe how they affect depth and footing size affected bearing capacity. Because the number of drilling and filling operations decreases as it varies from conventional foundations in that it has an increasing number of ring footings. By using the peripheral ring, it is possible to avoid excavating in adjacent construction sites subsurface soil, which reduces the amount of disturbance. This structure appears critical for expense and productivity given the potential advantages of using rings as feet. Meanwhile, further research into the adjacent foundations' bearing capacity and settling activities is needed to show their advantages to practical engineers

The stability of anchored cylindrical steel tanks with a secondary stiffening ring

Cylindrical steel tanks are used in most countries to store bulk volumes of liquid products such as oil, water and chemicals. These structures are commonly constructed from thin steel plates. The thin wall makes the tank vulnerable to buckling under external pressure due to wind, or to a partial vacuum when it is empty or partially emptied. A stiffening ring is widely used to enhance the strength of the tank wall against external pressure instability. Recent research by the author has determined stress resultants in order to provide a rational design procedure for the primary stiffening ring in open-top steel tanks considering interaction between the ring and the cylindrical tank shell. In addition to primary stiffening ring, one or more secondary stiffening rings are generally needed to enhance the buckling resistance under external pressure and wind. From this premise, the strength and stiffness requirements for the secondary stiffening ring in anchored cylindrical steel tanks are explored in this new study. Pursuant to this aim, the stress resultants in the isolated secondary stiffening ring subjected to non-uniform wind loading are derived using Vlasov's curved beam theory. Next, a new shell-to-ring stiffness ratio is presented by considering the ratio of the stiffness of the cylindrical shell to that of the secondary stiffening ring. In addition, a parametric study employing finite element analysis is performed to obtain the required strength and stiffness of the secondary stiffening ring in anchored cylindrical steel tanks. The variations in response quantities are expressed as a function of the proposed shell-to-ring stiffness ratio. These findings are finally expressed in terms of simple equations that can be easily used in practical design.

Laser ablation reveals the impact of Cdc15p on the stiffness of the contractile ring.

The mechanics that govern the constriction of the contractile ring remain poorly understood yet are critical to understanding the forces that drive cytokinesis. We used laser ablation in fission yeast cells to unravel these mechanics focusing on the role of Cdc15p as a putative anchoring protein. Our work shows that the severed constricting contractile ring recoils to a finite point leaving a gap that can heal if less than ∼1 µm. Severed contractile rings in Cdc15p-depleted cells exhibit an exaggerated recoil, which suggests that the recoil is limited by the anchoring of the ring to the plasma membrane. Based on a physical model of the severed contractile ring, we propose that Cdc15p impacts the stiffness of the contractile ring more than the viscous drag.

Hoop and axial plastic buckling modes of submerged cylindrical shells subjected to side-on underwater explosion shock wave

Cylindrical shells are widely used in marine structures from small-sized pipes to various immersed containers and large submarines. Dynamic plastic buckling of the shells could be caused by underwater explosion (UNEX) loads in industrial accidents or hostile attacks. Influential factors including non-dimensional hull shock factor reflecting the resilience of the material to shock intensity, slenderness ratio, localised ring stiffener and endcap are identified. Their impacts on the dynamic buckling modes are discussed relied on the finite element investigations. The results show that the global hoop and axial buckling modes are mainly determined by the hull shock factor and slenderness ratio, respectively. With the increase of hull shock factor, i) back-side buckling, ii) back- and front-side buckling with dominant buckles at the back-side, iii) back- and front-side buckling with dominant buckles at the front side, and iv) overall buckling with very large buckles at the front-side originating from the priority buckling modes can be observed in the circumferential direction. The competition between the front- and back-sides buckling is attributed to their different buckling mechanisms. The former one is caused by shock transmitted from the explosion source through the fluid, whereas the later one is due to striking of the structural hoop stress waves propagated from the front-side via the shell itself. Axial buckling modes consisted of primary and potential buckles alternating in the axial direction could be triggered for a large slenderness ratio, but be concealed by localised buckling modes for small slenderness ratio. The localised buckling modes are controlled by the ring-stiffener and endcap, because they alter the continuity of compression potential of shells.

Parametric study on SCF distribution along the weld toe of internally ring-stiffened two-planar tubular KK joints under axial loading

The internal ring stiffeners have been commonly introduced in tubular joints to improve the ultimate strength and fatigue life of offshore structures. However, for internally ring-stiffened multi-planar tubular joints which are frequently used in practical application, few investigations about stress concentration factor (SCF) in the joints have been reported so far and no parametric equation of the SCF is currently available for fatigue design. In this paper, the effects of geometrical parameters on the SCF distribution along the weld toe of the internally ring-stiffened two-planar tubular KK joints under axial loading are investigated by performing a set of three-dimensional (3D) FE stress analyses. Firstly, based on the requirements of AWS D1.1-2010, an approximate model of the actual weld profile is proposed. Then, several 3D FE models of various tubular joints are established to verify the proposed model. Subsequently, the effects of multi-planarity and stiffeners on the SCF in two-planar tubular KK joints are investigated. Additionally, the influence of geometrical parameters on both the SCF and the SCF distribution of the joints under axial loading is studied. Finally, SCF parametric equations for fatigue design of the internally ring-stiffened two-planar tubular KK joints under axial loading are developed from nonlinear regression analysis.

Determining static stiffness of damper elastic rings

The article describes a method for experimental evaluation of the stiffness of an elastic damper ring. A thin-walled low-stiffness ring with uniformly distributed smooth protrusions on the inner and outer surfaces acts as a damper ring. Despite the widespread use of such a design in domestic and foreign mechanical engineering, control of the characteristics of this element and, accordingly, of the support as a whole remains quite difficult. A numerical model was developed, the reliability of which is confirmed by analytical calculations. To check the data obtained by numerical calculations, a special device was designed, which was installed on the galdabini tensile testing machine, where a series of measurements was carried out. Analysis of the data obtained showed a significant difference between the numerical, analytical and experimental data, which can be explained by the discrepancy between the equipment used and the boundary conditions of the theoretical model. The parameters of the device were selected in such a way that its rigidity was much higher than the rigidity of the elastic ring under study. The paper describes the improvement of both the design of the device and the method for determining the stiffness of the elastic ring of the damper using the specified measuring equipment. After making corrections, the obtained data on the scatter of the stiffness of the elastic ring are in good agreement with the analytical and numerical dependence, which makes it possible to use the data of the latter to refine the analytical methods in the future

Computational analysis of welding radial deformation of typical pressure cylindrical shell with ring stiffener

We report on the evaluation of the radial deformation caused by the welding process on a typical pressure cylindrical shell with ring stiffeners. Welding experiments on butt and fillet welding were conducted beforehand, and temperature-dependent material properties were considered. The out-of-plane welding distortion and residual stress were measured using a three-coordinate measuring machine and X-ray diffraction, respectively. Effective thermal elastic plastic FE analysis based on parallel computation technology was performed to examine the mechanical behaviors. Computed results were validated by comparison with experimental measurements. Welding inherent deformations of the examined butt and fillet joints were then evaluated by integrating computed plastic strains. The elastic FE analysis, with welding inherent deformation as mechanical loading, was employed to examine the dimensional variation of the considered pressure cylindrical shell. The influence of ring stiffener on welding radial deformation was also discussed. Moreover, the application of welding sequence modification and inverse deformation was numerically examined with the proposed elastic FE analysis to reduce the welding radial deformation and enhance the fabrication accuracy. • Thermal and mechanical behaviors of welding experiments were holistically examined with advanced measurement approach. • TEP FE analysis was employed to represent welding response, and computed results have good agreement with measurement. • Ring stiffener has significant influence on dimensional accuracy by elastic FE analysis with welding inherent deformation. • Welding sequence and inverse deformation have significant effect to prevent radial deformation of pressure cylindrical shell.