Three-dimensional finite-element procedures for shot peening residual stress field prediction

Shot peening is widely used to improve the performances of machine elements subjected to fatigue loading, stress corrosion cracking or fretting, mainl y due to the favourable residual stress field induced. However, many times the choice of the treatment parameters is made by following empirical consi derations that do not take the residual stresses into account and, conseque ntly, do not allow to optimise the treatment results. To reach this objecti ve it is necessary to accurately know the residual stress field induced by varying the shot peening parameters. Finite-Element analyses of shot peening. both axisymmetric and three dimens ional. were developed to predict the residual stress field induced with dif ferent treatment parameters. Different approaches were used to evidence wor ths and limits of every one and to determine the numerical method that allo ws to reach the best results with the less expansive use of hardware and so ftware.