A study on the limitation of inelastic strain in welded joints in elevated temperatures

The stress and strain behaviour of the welded joints at elevated temperatures are very complicated, because of the differences in creep and other properties between base metal and weld metal. In this study, we performed creep and creep rupture tests and creep analysis on a welded joint by finite element analysis, to establish a criterion for the limitation of inelastic strain of welded joints. Then we proposed that the limitation of inelastic strain of welded joints should be based upon the tertiary creep initiation at a local and critical portion in welded joints. (author)