Design of Shrinkage Margin for Thin Panel Welded Structure during Manufacturing Process

The purpose of this study is to establish a design tool for the shrinkage margin of a deckhouse caused by welding and flame straightening. In order to do it, the effects of heat intensity and internal/external restraint condition on the shrinkage of the simple weldments were investigated, in order to identity the principal factors controlling shrinkage caused by welding process and flame straightening. Based on the results, predictive equations for longitudinal and transverse shrinkage at the welded structure were formulated as the function of heat intensity and in-plane rigidity. These equations were verified by comparing predicted results with the measured results at a panel structure of deckhouse.