Estimation of through thickness stresses in weldments using adaptive grids

Strength and service of welded structures are largely affected by residual stresses. Due to its importance, number of researchers are working to estimate residual stresses in weldments. In the current work the residual stresses across the thickness of weldments are estimated by a thermo-elasto-plastic non-linear finite element model. The thermo mechanical model is decoupled into two parts. The first part performs a transient heat transfer analysis and computes the entire thermal history of the weldment using adaptive grids. The second part then uses the thermal history of the weld and performs the thermo elastic-plastic analysis to compute the residual stresses in the weld. The model incorporates temperature dependent mechanical properties. The results are compared with experimental results available in the literature.