Abstract
Residual stresses induced by welding play a decisive role in determining the mechanical performance and operational lifespan of nuclear components. P280GH steel is frequently used in nuclear piping systems, often requiring multi-pass welding due to its thickness. Experimental evaluation of residual stresses is typically resource-intensive. This work employs the finite element code SYSWELD to simulate the butt-welding process of P280GH pipes and predict the resulting residual stress fields. The simulation outcomes are validated against blind-hole drilling measurements. Close agreement between numerical and experimental results confirms the model’s ability to capture the stress distribution characteristics. The findings contribute to a better understanding of residual stress formation in multi-pass welded pipes and offer a basis for refining welding parameters.