Investigation of Distortion Removal in Welded Structures

The objective of the study is to investigate mechanisms of flame straightening with emphasis on its effectiveness on high-strength-steel structures. In the Phase 1 study an investigation was made of mechanisms of flame straightening on simple weldments in low-carbon steel and HY-80 steel (quenched and tempered steel with specified minimum yield strength of 80,000 psi). Flame straightening was two to three times more effective on low-carbon steel specimens than on HY-80 steel specimens. In the Phase 2 study an investigation was made of mechanisms of flame straightening on framed panel structures. The specimens were made in low-carbon steel (AISI 1020), low-alloy high-strength steel (U. S. Steel CORTEN), and quenched and tempered steel (U. S. Steel T-1). It was also found that flame straightening techniques were more effective on low-carbon steel specimens than on high-strength steel specimens.