SIGNIFICANCE OF OVERSTRESSING TECHNIQUE A PPLIED TO WELDED STRUCTURES

High level residual stresses acting in non stress-relieved welded join ts are usually superimposed by stresses due to an external loading. If a structure is loaded at low temperatures (being under the ductile-cl eavage transition temperature of the material under consideration) a b rittle failure may occur. However, if the first loading of the structu re was applied at a temperature higher than the transition temperature , no brittle failure of the structure occurs even though the further l oading was applied at low temperature. Thus, overstressing at higher t emperatures shows a beneficial effect on the service properties of wel ded structures. Theoretical knowledge as well as results of significan t experimental work investigating the influence of high-temperature ov erstressing on welded joints properties have been summarized in this a rticle.