Finite Element Analysis of Residual Stresses in TT-Welded Joint of a Fixed Jacket Platform

Welded steel tubular joints are the kind of connections used extensively in the construction of fixed jacket platforms. The welding process creates considerable tensile residual stresses near the toe of TT-joint due to the rapid cooling and contraction of final welding layers. Welding produces thermal stresses that cause structural distortions, which influence the buckling strength of the structure. In this study thermal elasto-plastic analysis is carried out using ANSYS finite element techniques to evaluate the thermo-mechanical behavior and the residual stresses of the TT-joint. Moreover, the technique of element birth and death is employed to simulate the weld filler variation with time in TT-joint. The results show the considerable tensile residual stress near the weld toe that it may cause crack initiation in this region and threats the fatigue life of joint.