Finite element analysis of the residual stresses in T-joint fillet welds made of similar and dissimilar steels

In this paper, weld residual stress analyses are performed for T-joint fillet welds made of similar and dissimilar steels. Three-dimensional uncoupled thermo-mechanical finite element model which can accurately capture residual stresses in a weld piece is developed in order to predict the residual stress states in the fillet-welded T-joint. Results show that the maximum longitudinal residual stresses near the weld toes of the similar steel welds increase with increasing yield stress of the steel welded. For the dissimilar steel welds, the overall trend, shape and magnitude of the residual stress profiles in flange and web are similar to those of the corresponding similar steel welds despite the slight difference between the residual stresses in parts at which the flange and web come in contact with each other.