Prediction of weld induced residual stress reduction by vibration of a T-joint using finite element method

Residual stress generated during welding is a prominent factor for estimating the fatigue life and load-bearing capacity. Vibratory Stress Relief (VSR) is a promising technique to reduce the residual stress on welded components. However, depending on the orientation and size of the plate(s), practical implementation of VSR may require large amount of energy for vibrating the welded plate(s), which limits its effectiveness and application. This article presents a numerical study on the application of VSR in a fillet welded T-joint made of low carbon steel. Finite element simulation is carried out by adopting a sequentially coupled thermal and mechanical analysis approach. The numerical set-up has been validated. The results demonstrate significant reduction of residual stress due to the vibration. It has been observed that vibrating the stiffener is more effective than vibrating the base plate with the same force - which could be beneficial for the fabrication of stiffened panels.