Modelling and Statistical Treatment of Residual Stress Distributions in an Edge Welded Stainless Steel Beam

Experimental, finite element analysis and statistical studies of residual stresses in edge welded type 316H stainless steel beams are presented. The experimental stress measurements were previously performed by different laboratories using neutron and synchrotron X-ray diffraction. An analytical model to describe the magnitude and distribution of the residual stresses is presented. Results from finite element analyses are also provided. It is found that there is general agreement between the trends in the residual stresses derived from analysis and measurement. However, the scatter in results is substantial and a statistical framework for treating residual stresses using Bayesian statistics based on experimental and simulation results is described. The Bayesian analytical approach that uses the analytical model as a reference permits the model to be applied to circumstances outside the experimental conditions.