%0 Journal Article %T Three-Dimensional Thermo-Elastic-Plastic Finite Element Method Modeling for Predicting Weld-Induced Residual Stresses and Distortions in Steel Stiffened-Plate Structures %A Myung Su Yi %A Chung Min Hyun %A Jeom Kee Paik %J World Journal of Engineering and Technology %P 176-200 %@ 2331-4249 %D 2018 %I Scientific Research Publishing %R 10.4236/wjet.2018.61010 %X The objective of the present paper is to develop nonlinear finite element method models for predicting the weld-induced initial deflection and residual stress of plating in steel stiffened-plate structures. For this purpose, three-dimensional thermo-elastic-plastic finite element method computations are performed with varying plate thickness and weld bead length (leg length) in welded plate panels, the latter being associated with weld heat input. The finite element models are verified by a comparison with experimental database which was obtained by the authors in separate studies with full scale measurements. It is concluded that the nonlinear finite element method models developed in the present paper are very accurate in terms of predicting the weld-induced initial imperfections of steel stiffened plate structures. Details of the numerical computations together with test database are documented. %K Steel Stiffened-Plate Structures %K Weld-Induced Initial Distortion %K Weld-Induced Residual Stress %K Nonlinear Finite Element Method %K Three-Dimensional Ther-mo-Elastic-Plastic Finite Element Analysis %K Full Scale Measurements %U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=82678