Automatisierte Schweißnahtnachbehandlung für Offshore-Windenergieanlagen

Automated post weld treatment for offshore wind turbines. A more economical and resource-saving construction of offshore wind energy converters (OWEC) is necessary in order to implement climate policy objectives. The increase of the fatigue resistance by using high-strength steels and by applying post-weld treatment methods offers great potential for reducing the use of materials and costs for monopiles. Specifically, in the automated OWEC manufacturing chain, automated processes such as deep rolling are a suitable option. Deep rolling is an established process in mechanical engineering for increasing the wear and fatigue resistance of metallic components. This paper presents results of deep rolling as a new post treatment method to increase the fatigue strength of welds. The surface and subsurface zone properties of submerged arc welded butt joints made of a structural steel grade S355MLO before and after deep rolling are shown. In order to quantify the influence of deep rolling on the weld geometry, measurements of a laser line sensor are presented. Finally, the results of fatigue tests are discussed, which show the great potential of the deep rolling process as a post weld treatment method.