Abstract:
This paper presents a study on the application of the weight function and finite
element methods to evaluate residual stress intensity factors in welded test
samples. Three specimen geometries and various residual stress profiles were
studied. Comparisons of the two different methods were made in terms of the
accuracy, easiness to use, conditions and limitations. Calculated residual
stress intensity factors by the two different methods are in general in good
agreement for all the configurations studied. Computational issues involved in
executing these methods are discussed. Some practical issues are also addressed,
e.g. treatment of incomplete or limited residual stress measurements, influence
of transverse residual stresses, and modelling residual stress in short-length
specimens. The finite element method is validated by well-established weight
functions and thus can be applied to complex geometries following the procedures
recommended in this paper. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
