Three-dimensional finite element simulation of residual stress fields for 300M ultrahigh strength steel induced by hole cold expansion

The residual stresses of 300M ultrahigh strength steel induced by hole cold expansion were investigated using ANSYS finite element software. The 3-D finite elements of 300M steel at different thickness were modeled, and the influences of strength of materials and the thickness of components on residual stresses were also analyzed. Then the positions of the maximum residual compressive stress were found. The changes of residual stresses of the material at the entrance, the central section and the exit of hole cold expansion were compared. The results show that the distribution of residual compressive stresses along the thickness is inhomogeneous, the lowest compressive residual stress occurres at the entrance surface, while the largest one occurs near the middle of the hole wall.