In order find a general platform/environment forsimulation of in-service welding operations, a review andanalysis of non-linear Finite Element Analysis, FEA, programshave been performed. Free and commercial softwares havebeen considered and the programs that have been reviewed andevaluated are ABAQUS, CALCULIX, CODE-ASTER, MARCand SYSWELD. Different platforms, i.e. workstation configurationswith the associated Operative System, OS, has alsobeen investigated to find an optimised simulation platformsolution. To facilitate the selection of a suitable simulationplatform, the performance and durability of ABAQUS has beenevaluated by means of an in-service weld simulation.The residual weld hoop stresses of the weld simulationhave been compared with the results of girth weld experimentsfrom bibliographic sources. To enhance the evaluation processas well as gain experiences of measuring residual weld stresses,two (2) girth welds with measurement of the weld hoop stresseshave been carried out. The maximum solving performance ofABAQUS was obtained by means of a tailor-made workstation,configured with the OS Slackware Linux 9.1 and a speciallycompiled Linux kernel.The findings of the research will be utilized on selection ofa FEA-simulation platform that will be used for the purpose ofscientific research and industrial development in the field of inservicewelding operations.