Welding residual stresses: a daily history

Welding is the main joint technology used in steel manufactured products, in particular, in the shipbuilding industry. Recent works report the effect of residual stress redistribution on butt welded plates in a relatively short period after the welding procedures. The phenomenon was investigated by the daily monitoring of the welding residual stresses and the vertical displacements of the welded plate surface. The residual stress state was monitored by the magnetic method, and the absolute stress values were measured using X-ray diffraction techniques. A laser tracking device was used to measure surface displacements. The results from the monitoring performed during the first 6 days after removing the welding restrictions and 1 month later are presented.