Finite Element Simulation of Residual Stress and Distortion in Welded Joints of Offshore Platform Structures

06/26/2025

The world's energy consumption continues to rise, forcing the offshore sector to constantly adapt to evolving challenges. Offshore platforms need to be made, since the start of their construction, to withstand the extreme environmental conditions they will be facing. Specifically, the welding of the joints, which connect the various elements of these structures, is critical to ensure the quality of the assembly process. The objective of this document is to gain a better understanding of the influence of welded joints on offshore platforms structures. This necessary construction process induces residual stresses and distortions in localized regions of the structure. An extensive literature review is conducted to present the current state of the art on this subject. Furthermore, a numerical model is developed to simulate the welding process. The commercial finite element software Ansys is used, as it supports thermal-structural coupling and welded joints simulation. The aim of this model is to quantify the residual stresses and distortions caused by welding, using precise parameters such as heat input and welding characteristics.

Authors in the community:

• 

  J

  Jeremy Musolino

  ist1108569

Supervisors of this institution:

• 

  B

  Baiqiao Chen

  ist33735

mechanical-engineering - Mechanical engineering

eng - English

Instituto Superior Técnico