Fast finite element analysis of weld residual stress in large-diameter thick-walled stainless steel pipe joints and its experimental validation

Abstract

Weld residual stress analysis is an effective method for integrity evaluation of welding structures. However, faster computation techniques have been demanded because of the huge calculation time needed for the analysis. Recently, accurate weld residual stress evaluation based on faster three-dimensional analysis has become available through development of the iterative substructure method. In this study, computing performance of the three-dimensional weld residual stress analysis using the iterative substructure method was examined for a large-diameter thick-walled stainless steel pipe joint and then the analysis accuracy was validated by the weld residual stress distribution measured using the inherent strain method. These results demonstrated that the analysis technique using the iterative substructure method could accurately calculate large-scale welding problems within practical times.