Finite element analyses of the effect of weld overlay sizing on residual stresses of the dissimilar metal weld in PWRs

2021 ◽  
Vol 372 ◽  
pp. 110959
Author(s):  
Ru-Feng Liu ◽  
Jong-Chang Wang
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Residual Stresses ◽  
Finite Element Analyses ◽  
Weld Overlay ◽  
Dissimilar Metal ◽  
Dissimilar Metal Weld ◽  
Metal Weld

Effect of Adjacent Safe End to Piping Weld and Preemptive Weld Overlay Repair on Residual Stresses on Nozzle to Safe End Weld

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tae-Kwang Song ◽  
Yun-Jae Kim ◽  
Yun-Bae Chun ◽  
Chang-Yong Oh ◽  
Hong-Yeol Bae ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Residual Stresses ◽  
Short Length ◽  
Nozzle Geometry ◽  
Finite Element Analyses ◽  
Weld Overlay ◽  
Dissimilar Metal ◽  
Asme Code ◽  
Dissimilar Metal Weld ◽  
Metal Welding ◽  
Metal Weld

In this study, simplified nozzle geometry was proposed to quantify the effects of adjacent similar metal weld and weld overlay on residual stresses in dissimilar metal weld. Finite element analyses were conducted with various thickness ratios and safe end lengths and corresponding residual stresses were provided. According to the results, residual stresses in dissimilar metal weld were improved after adjacent similar metal welding. The effect of similar metal welding is more evident with shorter length of safe end. Thus, short length of safe end was recommended for new design of nozzle. Appropriate thickness of preemptive weld overlay reduces the conservative thickness recommended by ASME Code.

High-Temperature Constitutive Behavior of Austenitic Stainless Steel for Weld Residual Stress Modeling

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongxiao Qiao ◽  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Zhili Feng
Keyword(s):  
Residual Stress ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Stainless Steel ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Residual Stresses ◽  
Constitutive Rule ◽  
Dissimilar Metal ◽  
Weld Residual Stress ◽  
Dissimilar Metal Weld ◽  
Metal Weld

Weld residual stress is a major driving force for initiation and growth of primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC), which is a critical challenge for weld integrity of reactor pressure vessel nozzles in nuclear industry. Predicting weld residual stresses for the purpose of understanding and mitigating PWSCC requires the knowledge of material constitutive rule especially strain hardening behavior over a wide range of temperatures. Though it is adequate for describing deformation at low temperature, the conventional, rate-independent, elastic-plastic constitutive rule falls short in predicting the strong microstructure-mechanical interaction such as the softening due to recovery (dislocation annihilation and realignment) and recrystallization at elevated temperature in welding. To quantify the extent of softening under temperature and strain conditions relevant to welding, a framework has been developed by combining advanced experimental techniques and finite element modeling. First, physical simulation in a Gleeble testing machine is used to simulate the temperature transients typical of dissimilar metal weld by subjecting round tensile bar shaped specimens to rapid heating and cooling. Second, the digital image correlation (DIC) technique is used to map the non-uniform strain field and extract local strain history needed for accurately determining the true stress vs. true strain curve of softened material. Third, the thermally-mechanically processed specimens are characterized metallographically to correlate the microstructure changes to the measured stress-strain behavior. Finally, a thermal-stress finite element model of three-bar frame is used to study the effect of softening on the predicted weld residual stresses. As a first step toward developing the much-needed, comprehensive material constitutive relation database for dissimilar metal weld, the framework has been applied to study AISI 304L austenitic stainless steel. The extent of softening due to different duration of high-temperature exposure is studied and its influence on final residual stresses is discussed.

Residual Stress Prediction in Dissimilar Metal Weld Pipe Joints Using the Finite Element Method

2005 ◽  
Vol 490-491 ◽  
pp. 53-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Elias Katsareas ◽  
Anastasius Youtsos
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Method ◽  
Residual Stress ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Residual Stresses ◽  
The Finite Element Method ◽  
Dissimilar Metal ◽  
Stress Prediction ◽  
Dissimilar Metal Weld ◽  
Metal Weld ◽  
Element Method

Dissimilar metal welds are commonly found in the primary piping of pressurized water nuclear reactor power plants. The safety assessment practice for such welds requires residual stresses to be taken into consideration. In the present paper the finite element method is utilized for the simulation of the welding process and prediction of the residual stress field in a dissimilar metal weld pipe joint. Although it is common practice to develop in-house finite element codes for weld simulation, the ANSYS commercial finite element code is selected. This is mainly due to the fact that industry focuses on commercial software, since residual stress analysis procedures based on them can be readily transferred to industrial applications. A simplified 2-D axi-symmetric model, in which residual stresses are produced due to the thermo-mechanical properties mismatch during cooling of the weld, is compared with a detailed model in which the complete multi-pass welding procedure is simulated. The latter incorporates the “birth & death of elements” technique, temperature dependant material properties and kinematic hardening material behavior. The aim of this comparison is to establish the degree of model detail and complexity, necessary to obtain satisfactory results and consequently to define a golden rule between computational cost and practically accurate predictions. Identifying the specific simulation parameters and variables, that have the highest impact on the accuracy of the computed results, is also important. It is concluded that, a bead-by-bead or lump-by-lump detailed simulation is necessary in order to obtain reasonably accurate residual stresses that cannot be predicted by a simplified model. A general conclusion is that the proposed method, being simple in implementation and cost effective concerning model complexity and analysis time, is a potential weld residual stress prediction tool.

Effectiveness of Excavate and Weld Repair on a Large Diameter Piping Dissimilar Metal Weld by Finite Element Analysis

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis H. Ku ◽  
Pete C. Riccardella ◽  
Aparna Alleshwaram ◽  
Eric Willis
Keyword(s):  
Residual Stress ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Residual Stresses ◽  
Large Diameter ◽  
Weld Repair ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Dissimilar Metal ◽  
Primary Water ◽  
Dissimilar Metal Weld ◽  
Metal Weld

Finite element weld residual stress analyses are performed to investigate the effectiveness of a newly proposed repair option for primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC) in dissimilar metal welds in PWRs: Excavate and Weld Repair (EWR). Analyses are performed on a 30″ (762mm) outside diameter (OD) and 3″ (76mm) thick stainless steel pipe connected to a low alloy steel nozzle with a dissimilar metal weld (DMW). Eight EWR cases are analyzed to evaluate the sensitivities in weld residual stresses due to variations in the width and depth of the EWR, including cases with and without a thin weld cap on top of the DMW. The results demonstrate that a wide EWR that extends beyond the original width of the DMW provides the maximum residual stress benefits to the DMW, in terms of reducing the as-welded residual stresses. It is also found that the presence of the weld cap yields only marginal residual stress benefits.

scholarly journals Experimental Characterisation and Numerical Modelling of Residual Stresses in a Nuclear Safe-End Dissimilar Metal Weld Joint

Metals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1298
Author(s):  
Shuyan Zhang ◽  
Zhuozhi Fan ◽  
Jun Li ◽  
Shuwen Wen ◽  
Sanjooram Paddea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Residual Stress ◽  
Neutron Diffraction ◽  
Residual Stresses ◽  
Weld Joint ◽  
Steel Tube ◽  
Contour Method ◽  
Fe Modelling ◽  
Dissimilar Metal ◽  
Dissimilar Metal Weld ◽  
Metal Weld

In this study, a mock-up of a nuclear safe-end dissimilar metal weld (DMW) joint (SA508-3/316L) was manufactured. The manufacturing process involved cladding and buttering of the ferritic steel tube (SA508-3). It was then subjected to a stress relief heat treatment before being girth welded together with the stainless steel tube (316L). The finished mock-up was subsequently machined to its final dimension. The weld residual stresses were thoroughly characterised using neutron diffraction and the contour method. A detailed finite element (FE) modelling exercise was also carried out for the prediction of the weld residual stresses resulting from the manufacturing processes of the DMW joint. Both the experimental and numerical results showed high levels of tensile residual stresses predominantly in the hoop direction of the weld joint in its final machined condition, tending towards the OD surface. The maximum hoop residual stress determined by the contour method was 500 MPa, which compared very well with the FE prediction of 467.7 Mpa. Along the neutron scan line at the OD subsurface across the weld joint, both the contour method and the FE modelling gave maximum hoop residual stress near the weld fusion line on the 316L side at 388.2 and 453.2 Mpa respectively, whereas the neutron diffraction measured a similar value of 480.6 Mpa in the buttering zone near the SA508-3 side. The results of this research thus demonstrated the reasonable consistency of the three techniques employed in revealing the level and distribution of the residual stresses in the DMW joint for nuclear applications.

Study of the Stress State of a Dissimilar Metal Weld Due to Manufacturing and Operational Conditions

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernadett Spisák ◽  
Zoltán Bézi ◽  
Szabolcs Szávai
Keyword(s):  
Residual Stresses ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Maximum Load ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
Manufacturing Method ◽  
Dissimilar Metal ◽  
Welding Defects ◽  
Complex Procedure ◽  
Dissimilar Metal Weld ◽  
Metal Weld

Welding is accompanied by the presence of weld residual stresses, which in case of dissimilar metal welds even with post weld heat treatment cannot be removed completely therefore they should be considered when assessing possible welding defects. The measurement of residual stress in metal weld is a very complex procedure and also in the investigated case could not be carried out as it is the part of a working plant. However, by modelling these processes, the residual stresses and deformation of the components caused by this manufacturing method can be determined. It is important to calculate these values as accurately as possible to determine the maximum load capacity of the structure. The structure under examination was the dissimilar metal weld of a VVER-440 steam generator. 2D simulations were performed, where temperature and phase-dependent material properties were implemented. Different loading scenarios were considered in the numerical analysis. The results can be useful to determine the real loading conditions of a given component and can be used to predict stress corrosion crack initiation locations, as well as to evaluate the lifetime and failure mode prediction of welded joints.

Design of a Weld Overlay for a Large Bore Pipe Nozzle to Optimize Residual Stress

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas E. Killian
Keyword(s):  
Residual Stress ◽  
Compressive Residual Stress ◽  
Reactor Vessel ◽  
Inside Surface ◽  
Weld Overlay ◽  
Dissimilar Metal ◽  
Surface Flaws ◽  
Asme Code ◽  
Dissimilar Metal Weld ◽  
Metal Weld

Full Structural Weld Overlays (FSWOL) have been used successfully in the nuclear power industry for a number of years to mitigate and repair small (4″) to medium (10″) bore welded piping components susceptible to primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC). Mitigation is provided by the creation of compressive residual stress on the inside surface of the pipe as layers of weld overlay are deposited over the outside surface of the pipe. ASME Code Case N-740-2 requires that these overlay designs provide adequate structural integrity considering the growth of postulated 75% through-wall inside surface flaws by PWSCC and cyclic fatigue. Application of this repair procedure to larger diameters components such as 30 inch reactor vessel nozzles is not practical due to the large amount of weld metal (overlay thickness) which would be required to satisfy the design requirements of a FSWOL and the associated demands on implementation schedule and exposure to radiation. An alternate procedure is currently being considered for these larger components which utilizes an Optimized Weld Overlay (OWOL) design based on a reduced thickness and smaller postulated flaw. In particular, ASME Code Case 754 specifies, in part, that 50% through-wall inside surface flaws be shown to be acceptable. Furthermore, an OWOL would continue to provide mitigation of materials susceptible to PWSCC by requiring that the thickness of the overlay be sufficient to induce compressive residual stress on the inside surface. This paper presents results of finite element analysis for an optimized weld overlay on a large bore (30″) reactor vessel coolant nozzle dissimilar metal weld, with particular attention to the incremental development of residual stress with each layer of weld metal. Through numerical simulation of the complete fabrication history, including repair of the original dissimilar metal weld, hydrostatic testing, and completion of the nozzle safe end-to-pipe joint prior to implementation of the overlay, the pre-overlay state of stress is defined for use as the basis for evaluating the stress improvement provisions of the weld overlay process. Results are obtained for both kinematic and isotropic hardening rules to study the effect of these two extreme measures of material characterization on the development of residual stress. Additional results are presented to study the sensitivity of the welding simulations to material yield strength and mesh refinement. Predicted stresses are also compared to measured data from a full scale mockup of a large bore reactor vessel nozzle with an optimized weld overlay.

Important Residual Stress Features in Reactor Nozzle Dissimilar Metal Welds

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinmiao Zhang ◽  
Shaopin Song ◽  
Pingsha Dong
Keyword(s):  
Residual Stress ◽  
Stress Distribution ◽  
Nuclear Reactor ◽  
Residual Stress Distribution ◽  
Stress Distributions ◽  
Weld Overlay ◽  
Dissimilar Metal ◽  
Nozzle Length ◽  
Dissimilar Metal Weld ◽  
Metal Weld

This paper is focused on the study of residual stress distribution at a dissimilar metal weld (DMW) of nuclear reactor nozzle. The paper extends some of the recent research on this subject by investigating the effect of weld sequence and nozzle length design on the residual stress distributions. It also investigates the effect of a partial excavation repair and a weld overlay on the residual stress distribution. As a result, some of the important residual stress features at DMW are revealed and these features are discussed and summarized in the paper.

Validation of Welding Residual Stress Model Using Results From a Pressurizer Surge Nozzle Mockup

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doug Killian
Keyword(s):  
Residual Stress ◽  
Stainless Steel ◽  
Residual Stresses ◽  
Crack Growth ◽  
Material Properties ◽  
Welding Residual Stress ◽  
Stress Model ◽  
Dissimilar Metal ◽  
Dissimilar Metal Weld ◽  
Metal Weld

Although numerical welding simulation is now commonly used in the nuclear industry to predict residual stresses in reactor vessels and associated piping components, there are currently no universally accepted guidelines for performing such analysis. Moreover, due to the complexity of the calculations and varying analytical procedures among analysts, there remains a need to validate predictions of residual stress against benchmark studies. As part of an industry initiative to manage the degradation of dissimilar metal welds in pressurized water reactor piping that are susceptible to primary water stress corrosion cracking, the U.S Nuclear Regulatory Commission embarked on a multi-phased program to validate welding residual stress models. The aim of Phase II of this program is to obtain measured residual stresses from a pressurizer surge nozzle dissimilar metal weld mockup for use in comparisons with numerically predicted stresses. This paper presents results of finite element analysis for various stages during the fabrication of a 14–inch pressurizer surge nozzle mockup, including an Alloy 82 dissimilar metal weld between a stainless steel safe end and carbon steel nozzle, an inside surface weld repair (back weld) and fill-in weld (weld build-up), and a stainless steel “field” weld attaching a section of straight pipe to the safe end. The NRC validation program was structured to allow participants to first calculate results using their own material properties, and then tune their welding simulations to thermocouple data. This was followed by reanalysis using NRC-supplied material properties. The program was conducted as a round robin analysis among an international group of participants and formatted as a blind validation project wherein results were submitted to the NRC prior to receipt of thermocouple and material property data. Results were obtained for both kinematic and isotropic hardening rules to study the effect of these two extreme measures of material characterization on the development of residual stress. Predicted stresses are then compared to measured stress data obtained by the deep-hole drilling technique at multiple locations through the thickness of the weld. The NRC residual stress model validation project serves as a valuable contribution to the understanding of how residual stresses are developed in dissimilar metal welds. The correlation of calculated residual stresses with measured data from a relevant mockup also serves to increase confidence in predicting crack growth in these primary pressure boundary welds by removing much of the uncertainty previously associated with residual stress input to crack growth analysis.

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