Analysis of residual stresses in hot-rolled complex beams (Q1064839)

This paper deals with the analysis of residual stresses in hot-rolled complex beams. After rolling, residual stresses appear during the cooling period when the temperature is not uniform in the cross-section. These temperatures are calculated by a transient nonlinear program. The thermal stresses are estimated by a two-dimensional thermoelastoplastic or thermoelasto-viscoplastic finite element idealization. Bending effects are introdced in a generalized plane-strain formulation assuming circular curvature along the beam. The method leads to a plane-strain calculation which is very interesting from the computational point of view; the temperature dependence of the physical properties can be taken into account. The technique has important industrial applications. It permits the optimization of the state of residual stress in hot-rolled complex beams by testing different cooling conditions.