Effect of width of repair welding on stress distribution of dissimilar metal butt weld of nuclear piping

In the present work, the welding residual stress due to repair welding and the stress redistribution behavior due to primary pressure are investigated via 2-dimensional non-linear finite element analyses. In particular, the effect of repair welding width on stress distribution is emphasized. Although, large tensile residual stresses are produced at the PWSCC sensitive region due to repair welding, these stresses are highly reduced due to stress redistribution caused by primary load. Based on the present finite element results, it has been revealed that the effect of width of repair welding on stress distribution is not significant. In the past few years, many numerical and experimental works have been made to assess a structural integrity of cracked components subjected to primary water stress corrosion cracking in dissimilar metal weld (DMW) using Alloys 82/182 in nuclear industries worldwide. These works include a prediction of weld residual stresses in dissimilar metal weld by either numerical or experimental works since an accurate estimation of residual stress distribution in dissimilar metal weld is the most important element for integrity assessment of components subjected to primary water stress corrosion cracking. During an actual welding process, in general, a repair welding is often performed when a defect indication is detected during post-welding inspection. It has been revealed that such a repair welding could lead to higher tensile residual stress in dissimilar metal weld, which is detrimental to the crack growth due to primary water stress corrosion cracking. Thus, the prediction of residual stress considering a repair welding is needed, and then many efforts were made on this issue. In the present work, the effect of width of repair welding on stress distribution of dissimilar metal butt weld of nuclear piping is evaluated based on the detailed 2-dimensional non-linear finite element analyses. For this purpose, the welding residual stress due to repair welding is firstly investigated, and stress redistribution behavior due to hydrostatic and normal operating pressure is also investigated