A new algorithm on welding process of T-shaped plates in ship hull structure to minimize distortion based on thermal simulation

Abstract

In this paper, the influence of welding sequence on the distribution of distortion on a T-shaped plate bar is investigated. The simulation consists of sequentially coupled thermal and mechanical analyses using an element birth and death technique to model the addition of welding metal to the work piece. Thermal distribution in steel T-shaped plate subjected to gas metal arc welding is determined through finite element method (FEM) in numerical simulations. Three-dimensional (3D) thermal model is simulated in ANSYS FEM commercial code. A macro code programme based on Goldak model is developed to apply thermal loading generated by the heat sources. The analyses are planned to be performed for 3D, transient and non-linear conditions. Temperature distribution during welding, welding-induced distortion fields and thermal graphs are predicted. The results are compared with the predictions from mechanical analyses. The results of four welding sequences on the magnitude of distortion in the plate are discussed and their effects on the thermal smooth distribution for special points in the plate are studied. Evaluation of the results with minimum distortion represents proper predictions and proves applicability and simplicity of the new introduced algorithm in this paper.

Keywords:

• welding sequence
• thermal simulation
• minimum distortion
• finite element modelling

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Ramisa Rezaei for her technical comments.