Minimisation of the residual stress in the heat affected zone by means of numerical methods

Minimisation of the residual stress in the heat affected zones of AISI 304 plates was performed by means of several design of the experiments (DOE) techniques. A common problem in post trials DOE analysis is the lack of data. Before planning additional experimental trials in order to complete a design matrix, trying to estimate missing data by means of prediction models could be an interesting alternative. In this paper, the effectiveness of a polynomial regression model as a model for evaluating missed data from experimental trials, was analysed. Results coming from the different experimental designs were compared. The reliability of the solutions was limited to the ranges of the investigated parameters. Extrapolation over those bounds would limit their applicability.