Effect of Root Opening on Distortion of Butt-Joints in Submerged Arc Welding

Abstract

The dimensional differences in steel bridge manufacturing caused by weld deformation often occur for butt joints of thin plates. The problems of distortion, residual stresses and reduced strength of structure in and around a welded joint are of major concern in the shipbuilding industry and other similar manufacturing industries. The various distortions induced by welding process and restriction of these distortions may lead to higher residual stresses. The prediction of distortions in ship panels are of great importance from the point of view of dimensional control. In view of this, it has been investigated the effect of root opening on the transverse shrinkage, longitudinal shrinkage and angular distortions of butt joints. The experimental investigations are carried out using Submerged Arc Welding with zero mm, 1 mm and 2 mm root opening for constant heat input. The transverse and longitudinal shrinkage increase but the angular distortion decreases with increase in the root opening.