Residual stress characteristics of butt-welded flange by finite element analysis

Finite element simulation is utilized in an aluminum alloy 2014 butt-welded flange under AC Tungsten Inert Gas （AC-TIG） welding condition. The simulated results are in good agreement with the residual stress for the plate test using the actual welding parameters. Furthermore, characteristics of residual stress could be investigated in detail in several aspects, such as the welding structures, the welding sequences, the time intervals, preheating, and repair weld. The intermittent welding may be more convenient and advantageous for the practical applications to reduce the stress, and the local repair welding may cause more stress within the repairing region obviously.