Исследование остаточных сварочных напряжений при подводной мокрой сварке низколегированной стали с применением магнитоанизотропного и рентгенодифрактометрического метода

The present study possibility of assessing residual welding stresses using magnetoanisotropic and X-ray diffractometric methods. Using the method of magnetic anisotropy approve of inhomogeneity of residual stresses in specimens with surfacing made by flux-cored wire and covered electrode in air and underwater has been revealed. The use of two nondestructive testing methods made it possible to determine and compare the values of residual welding stresses.

Determination of Optimal Flat-End Head Geometries for Pressure Vessels Based on Numerical and Experimental Approaches

The experimental and numerical analyses of the pressure vessels with different flat ends are presented and discussed in the paper. The main aim of the study is to propose the optimal flat head end geometry. The analyses are focused on the comparison of standardized geometries and with the proposed elliptical cut-out. The experimental tests with the application of strain-gauge measurements and numerical modeling of the pressure vessel are conducted. The behavior under low and high pressures and the influence of the residual welding stresses, material properties, and geometrical tolerances on the level of the plastic deformation in the flat end is discussed. It is presented that the rules given in the recent standard are not sufficient for optimal selection of the optimal geometry. It is observed that in certain geometries the deviations of the pipe thickness may lead to a significant increase of the equivalent stresses. The residual welding stresses have a significant influence on the stress and strain level—particularly in the stress relief groove (SRG). The performed study and comparison of the different geometries allow for the proposal of the optimal shape of the flat end. It appeared that the pressure vessels with SRG are the most optimal choice, particularly when elliptic shapes are in use. In some cases (i.e., pipe with wall-thickness equal to 40 mm and the flat end with circular SRG), the optimal configuration is reached for dimensions beyond the admissible by code range.

Analysis of the trunk oil pipeline survivability in the zone of the butt welded joint

The article describes the development of a technique for analyzing the survivability of the trunk pipeline in the zone of the transverse weld during operation, taking into account the residual welding stresses. The calculation of residual welding stresses was performed by solving the problem of thermoelasto-viscoplasticity for a material with a non-stationary structure by the finite element method. Solving the nonlinear nonstationary heat conduction problem was carried out by the finite difference method using boundary conditions of the third kind. Modeling the kinetics of transformation of austenite into ferrite-pearlite and bainite under non-isothermal conditions during welding was carried out on the basis of the theory of isokinetic reactions. The calculation of survivability is based on the Irwin criterion and the Paris formula.

Apply the Acoustoelastic Method to Determine Residual Stresses in Welded Joints

The problem of maximum stresses estimation in the weld metal, where the direct measurements are not possible due to the influence of the metal structure on the measurement error, was solved. The influence of features of welding joints manufacturing technology on the structure of the weld metal was also determined. We use several reference welded joints of pipelines at nuclear power plants in our studies. Instrumental estimation of acoustoelasticity parameters in the weld metal in welded joints and in adjacent areas of the base metal was used together with computational modeling of the residual welding stresses distributions. Results obtained demonstrate that the error of stress measurement in the metal in the joint, which is related to the structure of the weld metal, is comparable to the material yield strength. Due to that a direct measurement of the maximum values of welding stresses is not possible. Comparison of results of acoustoelasticity parameters measurements with results of the metal macrostructure studies and mechanical tests allowed us to determine the relationship between peculiarities of structure of the weld metal sections at vertical joints with their tendency to brittle destruction. We propose and justify the NDT method of residual welding stresses in the weld metal. It is based on the principle of residual stresses balancing and employs the results of stress measurements in the base metal by acoustoelasticity. Applicability of non-destructive testing of acoustoelasticity parameters to identify the areas of welded joints with a higher tendency to brittle fracture is also justified.