Weld Mechanics - Residual Stress, Material Inhomogeneity and Fracture

University South Carolina Research Foundation, Columbia SC

Investigators

Abstract

Weld Mechanics - Residual Stress, Material Inhomogeneity and Fracture Investigator: Yuh J. Chao, chao@sc.edu <mailto:chao@sc.edu> Sponsor: University of South Carolina Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Columbia, SC 29208 ABSTRACT A major concern with weldments is to establish and quantify the role played by residual stress and material inhomogeneity in the fracture process. The researcher will investigate the mechanics of weldments in both the fabrication process and the potential fracture events in service. The theoretical work will include (a) the development of fundamental fracture mechanics parameters or advanced procedures that can characterize the fracture of solids containing residual stress and material inhomogeneity and (b) the numerical modeling of the entire process of welding, fabrication of fracture testing samples, and fracture mechanics testing. The modeling work will be integrated, refined and validated with experimental and metallurgical studies at DOE laboratories.