Numerical analysis on the welding residual stress and fracture toughness of the heavy thick steel welded joints by welding processes

Abstract

This study examined the welding residual stress and fracture toughness of 78mm thick steel electro gas welding (EGW) and flux cored arc welding (FCAW) welded joints by numerical analyses of the thermal elasto-plastic behavior and fracture toughness(KIC). The residual stress, fracture toughness characteristics and production mechanism on the welded joints were clarified. Moreover, the effects of the welding process (EGW and FCAW) on the welding residual stresses and fracture toughness of welded joints were evaluated. The results showed that the new welding process (EGW) appears to be an effective substitute for the existing welding process (FCAW) in a thick steel plate with high strength.