Another good book to look @ is: "The procedure Handbook of Arc Welding from Lincoln Electric..." Look in Chapter 3.1-1 Title is: "Weldment Distortion"
This chapter covers: The reasons for distortion... How properties of metal affect distortion such as the coefficient of thermal expansion, thermal conductivity, yield strength, modulus of elasticity... And they cover the comparison of properties in these metals: Mild steel vs.Stainless steel, Mild steel vs. Aluminum andMild steel vs. High-strength steel...
The next topic is Shinkage control starting in section 3.1-4 through 3.1-7... Covering several practical ways that can be used to minimize distortion caused by shrinkage such as: Do not over weld, using intermittent welding, use as few weld passes as possible, Place welds near the neutral axis, Balance welds around the neutral axis, Use Backstep welding like Giovanni mentioned in an earlier post in this thread... Anticipate the shrinkage forces, Planning the weld sequence, Removing shrinkage forces after welding, Minimize welding time... With many corresponding figures
Then starting from section 3.1-7 through 3.1-9 the book covers: Equations for calculating shrinkage such as: Transverse weld shrinkage and Longitudinal bending along the pertinent equations included in the figures...
Examples of distortion control such as a T section, Three member column, Unsymmetrical beam, Welding sequence, Buckling and Twisting, Horizontal or Vertical web, Slender, Light Gage columns, Control of camber, Distortion correction by Flame shrinkage along with corresponding figures from section3.1-7 until 3.1-17...
Then there's Shop Techniques for distortion control and stress relief along with a check list for minimizing Distortion along with corresponding figures. Starting from section 3.1-17 until 3.1-19 There's also Prehaeting and Stress Relieving covering the when and why, The amount of preheat required, Methods of preheating, Interpass Temperatures, Preheats for Quench & tempered steels, Pointers on Preheat and Stress Relief along with corresponding figures. Everyone that works around welding should have this book @ the very least!
Respectfully,
Henry