API X80 pipeline steel is widely used in natural gas and oil transportation. In this study, X80 pipeline steels with 18.4 mm thickness and 1219 mm diameter, made in China, were welded by a combined girth welding technology. Experimental results showed that microstructures in weld metal and coarse grain heat affected zone are mainly composed of coarsening bainite grains with dimensions of 20–50 μm, and Vickers hardness in weld seam is lowered by the seven-pass welding process. Simulated results illustrated that repeatedly thermal cycles imposed by the combined multipass girth welding process easily result in softened weld joints. The predicted microstructures, phase compositions and hardness in weld metal are in agreement with the measured ones. The results could be applied to optimise this combined girth welding process and improve the weld quality of API X80 pipeline steel and even higher grade pipeline steels.
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