Numerical analysis of welding residual stress and its verification using neutron diffraction measurement

Direct measurements and computed distributions of through-thickness residual stress in a pipe butt-welded joint and a pipe socket-welded joint are compared. The analytical evaluation methods used rt ere inherent strain analysis and thermal elastic-plastic analysis. The experimental methods were neutron diffraction far the internal residual stress, and X-ray diffraction and strain-gauge measurement for the surface stress. The residual stress distributions determined using these methods agreed well with each other both for internal stress and surface stress. The characteristics of the evaluation methods and the suitability of these methods for each particular welded object to be evaluated are discussed.