Effects of welding-induced residual stress on ultimate strength of plates and stiffened panels

During the welding of steel-plated structures, geometric distortions and residual stresses are developed. The influence of welding-induced geometric distortions and residual stresses on the compressive ultimate strength in longitudinal direction of plates and stiffened panels were investigated using nonlinear finite element analyses considering a range of plate thicknesses with various levels of residual stresses. The residual stresses in plates and stiffened panels have been modelled carefully and their effects on these structures due to welding-induced imperfections only are studied. The results and insights observed from the current study are presented.