Structural Analysis of Thermal Diffusion and Non-Uniform Temperature Distribution along the Sidewall Thickness of STS316L during Gas Tungsten Arc Butt Welding

• Published in: Processes 2024-05, Vol.12 (5), p.1038
• Main Authors: Jeong, Gwang-Ho, Kim, Kiyoung, Kim, Yongdeog, Bae, Junsung, Kim, Seonmin, Ahn, Sang-Hyun, Bae, Seung-Hoon, Kim, Sang-Kyo, Cho, Dae-Won
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arc welding; Butt welding; Cameras; Conduction; Conduction heating; Conductive heat transfer; Deformation; Efficiency; Experiments; Finite element analysis; Finite element method; International economic relations; Laser beam welding; Lasers; Measuring instruments; Nuclear energy; Nuclear fuels; Nuclear industry; Numerical analysis; Residual stress; Sensors; Spent nuclear fuels; Spent reactor fuels; Stainless steel; Storage containers; Structural analysis; Temperature distribution; Thermal diffusion; Thermal strain; Thickness measurement; Tungsten; Welding
• ISSN: 2227-9717; 2227-9717
• DOI: 10.3390/pr12051038

This study investigated how welding affects the thermal deformation of square cells produced for casks, which are dry storage containers for spent nuclear fuel. We aimed to minimize structural deformation by utilizing STS316L as the material for the square cells. We explored a method of subdividing the square cells and joining them through butt welding. Keeping the upper plate thickness constant, GTA butt welding was conducted while varying the column’s wall thickness, followed by measurement with a laser vision sensor. The heat conduction and thermal strain were then calculated using a finite element analysis (FEM). Both experimental and analytical results confirmed that there was significant thermal deformation in the cases of thick-walled columns due to variations in heat conduction distribution, with the resulting deformation patterns depending on thickness.