Abstract
In this study, thermo-elasto-plastic analyses are carried out with the purpose of elucidating mechanical behavior of circular patch welding. The characteristics of restraint stress/strain produced in circular patch welding and their production mechanism are studied from results of analysis. Then, the analytical calculation method of restraint stress/strain produced by circular patch welding is developed based on the production mechanism of restraint stress/strain. The formula to get restraint stress/strain is proposed.
Moreover, applicability of the restraint intensity in circular patch welding for the mechanical measure of cold cracks is investigated. Severity of mechanical restraint in the elastic range can be evaluated by using the restraint intensity in circular patch welding as a parameter. Meanwhile, severity of mechanical restraint in the plastic range can not directly evaluated by using it. However, relative severity of that may be evaluated by using it only in the limited range.
