Measurement of Residual Stresses Around a Circular Patch Weld Using Barkhausen Noise

Welding is a common means of joining and repairing steel structures. In the case of steel tanks, circular patch welds are often used for repairing the structure after removal of a defective area. Unfortunately, the welding process also produces residual stresses which, if not relieved, can impair the integrity of the structure. Measurement of residual stresses produced by welding is needed, for example, to verify the effectiveness of a stress relief heat treatment which is typically used to remove weld-induced stresses