The results from the Second Phase of a PVRC Joint Industry Project (JIP) are covered in this bulletin. The results from the First Phase are covered in WRC Bulletin 552 Investigation of Weld Residual Stresses and Local Post-Weld Heat Treatment, which pertains to the development of consistent residual stress estimates for various welded components that may be used in a Fitness-For-Service (FFS) service assessment and the development of recommended procedures for performing local post-weld heat treatment (L-PWHT).

The Second Phase of the PVRC JIP covered the investigation of thick-section weldments (>50mm), high-alloy welds, key parameters governing girth and seam weld residual stress distributions, procedures for estimating residual stress distributions away from weld, bimetallic welds and the effects of buttering. Residual stress characteristics in repair welds, stress relief in uniform PWHT, and recommended procedures for performing local PWHT on nozzle welds are also discussed. In addition, case studies on effects of residual stresses on cracks and technology workshops and documentation of weld residual stresses from all parametric studies including the material properties used in the finite element analyses are provided.