Study of Through-Thickness Stress Distribution in Steel Double-V Butt Weld

Through-thickness stress distribution in 32 mm thick ferritic steel plates welded with double-V groove was studied using neutron diffraction and finite element methods. The stress distribution is close to the symmetrical with respect to the weld centerline and not symmetrical with respect to the weld mid-thickness. The peak longitudinal stress (530 MPa) is located in the first half of the weld thickness, where the groove was filled first. The region of maximum compressive transverse stresses (–400 MPa) is located in the second half of the plate thickness. Post weld heat treatment reduces maximum tensile stresses down to ∼200 MPa. The position of maxima and minima of transverse residual stresses obtained by finite element methods are in agreement with the results of measurement by the neutron diffraction method. However, at some locations, the calculated values are approximately 300 MPa higher than the experimental ones.