Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 170-180 (2026)
INFLUENCE OF WELDING RESIDUAL STRESS ON AXIAL MECHANICAL
PROPERTIES OF HOLLOW SPHERICAL JOINTS
Ren-Zhang Yan 1, *, Hao-Ping Ji 1, Shuai Wang 2, Xiao-Qiang Jin 1 and Lin Song 3
1 School of Civil Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing 400074, China
2 Chongqing Aerospace Polytechnic, Chongqing 400021, China
3 China Metallurgical Construction Engineering Group Co., LTD, Chongqing 400037, China
*(Corresponding author: E-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Received: 18 February 2025; Revised: 2 July 2025; Accepted: 18 July 2025
DOI:10.18057/IJASC.2026.22.2.4
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ABSTRACT
Significant welding residual stresses (WRS) exist at the sphere-pipe welds of welded hollow spherical joints (WHSJ), adversely affecting their axial mechanical performance. However, due to the complex distribution pattern of residual stress, quantitatively assessing their impact on joint axial stiffness and load-bearing capacity has been challenging. This study employs a combined approach of theoretical derivation and model testing to examine and reveal the influence mechanisms and quantitative influence patterns of sphere-to-pipe welding residual stress on the axial mechanical properties of hollow spherical joints. It was found that welding residual stress reduces joint axial stiffness by 1.97%–54.7% and load-bearing capacity by 2.27%–24.4%. Furthermore, the detrimental effect of welding residual stress on axial performance decreases with increasing hollow sphere diameter (D), increases with increasing wall thickness (t), and exhibits a contrasting trend with increasing steel pipe diameter (d): its effect on axial stiffness initially increases then decreases, whereas its effect on load-bearing capacity initially decreases then increases.
KEYWORDS
Welded hollow spherical joints, Welding residual stress, Axial stiffness, Axial compressive capacity, Experimental study
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