On the Interaction to Thermal Cycle Curve and Numerous Theories of Failure Criteria for Weld-Induced Residual Stresses in AISI304 Steel using Element Birth and Death Technique

In this present study, element birth and death technique is used in simulation to compute thermal history as in transient temperature distribution and thermal cycle curve to find cooling rates in the heat-affected zones and residual stresses in 8-mm-thick AISI304 steel weldment. The peak values of residual stresses in the weldment were observed as high as (269 and 289 MPa in SQBWJ and 258 and 260 MPa in VGBWJ) which is significantly higher than the yield stress (σ_y) value of AISI304 at room temperature due to higher rate of strain hardening and larger coefficient of thermal expansion. The predicted results of each criterion of residual stresses lead to finding the location for cause of premature failure of AISI304 weldment. All the aspects of failure investigation are important in answering the questions raised for the failure and to avoid any future miss-happening.