Residual stress distribution in a large specimen fabricated by wire-arc additive manufacturing

The longitudinal and transverse residual stress distributions in a large high-strength steel block fabricated by wire-arc additive manufacturing are measured by the contour method and X-ray diffraction method. The effect of the restraint intensity on the longitudinal stress distribution pattern at the middle-width location along the height is discussed. Research results show that the longitudinal stress changes drastically from compressive stress in the deposition to the tensile stress in the baseplate, while the transverse stress is compressive in the interface zone between the deposition metal and the baseplate and changes gently across the interface zone. The restraint intensity exerted by the baseplate on the deposition has a great effect on the stress distribution pattern along the height.