Residual stresses in resistance spot welded steel joints

Residual stresses in spot welded joints play an important role in affecting the durability of the joint. This paper reviews the numerical models used to predict the spatial and temporal generation of residual stresses and the experimental measurements to investigate the state of such stresses in spot welded steel sheets. The effect of residual stress on the fatigue strength of a spot welded joint has also been presented. Factors and methods that can favourably change the residual stress distribution in a spot welded joint to improve its fatigue strength have been summarised.