Analysis of angular distortion in weldments using laminated plate theory

The problems of distortion and residual stresses in and around a welded joi nt are of major concern in heavy industry. In the present work, a formula f or weld induced angular distortion, in terms of weld parameters such as hea t input and plate thickness, is developed analytically using an infinite la minated plate theory to consider an elliptical cylindrical inclusion with a n eigenstrain. The source of angular distortion in weldments is the plastic strains that are caused by non-uniform temperature gradient. The distribut ions of the plastic strain corresponding to the eigenstrain are determined using Rosenthal's solution, which describes temperature distributions. Comp arison of the calculated results with the experimental data shows the accur acy and validity of the proposed method.