Numerical Analysis of the Influence on High Humidity in a T-Joint Fillet Weld for High Strength Low Alloy Steel

Welding at high humidity is frequently needed for the harbor hoisting machinery of steel structures in the coastal port city. A computational procedure is proposed for analyzing residual stress and temperature distributions induced by the T-joint welding in two types of St52-3 high strength low alloy steel plates both 6 mm in thickness. The relative humidity conditions varied from 75 to 90% at constant pressure. The finite element models are employed to evaluate the transient temperature and the residual stress during welding. According to the analysis results, the higher residual stress and the highest concentration of hydrogen are distributed in and surround the heat affected zone (HAZ), and vary with different humidity.