Weld Modeling in Simulation
Weld Modeling in Simulation
(OP)
I am trying to model a plate that is welded along the edges to a larger plate. I have tried 2 approaches separately:
1) Partitioning the face of the larger plate and applying a bonded contact between the plate edges and the edges on the surface
2) Bonding the surface of the smaller plate to the surface of the larger plate
I believe these methods are OK but the stress is not that accurate at the weld location. I need accurate stresses near the welds because I believe this is where failure is likely to occur in my model.
Can anybody suggest a better approach to modeling the welded joint?
Is it better to create parts that represent the actual fillet weld material and then bond (tie) these to the 2 plates?
Thanks!
1) Partitioning the face of the larger plate and applying a bonded contact between the plate edges and the edges on the surface
2) Bonding the surface of the smaller plate to the surface of the larger plate
I believe these methods are OK but the stress is not that accurate at the weld location. I need accurate stresses near the welds because I believe this is where failure is likely to occur in my model.
Can anybody suggest a better approach to modeling the welded joint?
Is it better to create parts that represent the actual fillet weld material and then bond (tie) these to the 2 plates?
Thanks!






RE: Weld Modeling in Simulation
Determination of Weld Loads and Throat Requirements Using Finite Element Analysis with Shell Element Models — A Comparison with Classical Analysis
http://www.aws.org/wj/supplement/Weaver/ARTICLE2.p...
RE: Weld Modeling in Simulation
RE: Weld Modeling in Simulation
As far as literature, there is an old Cosmos Companion issue on the topic of analyzing welds, be mindful this was before they added the Edge Weld connector: http://www.eng.uwo.ca/designcentre/FEA%20resources...
Certified SolidWorks Professional
RE: Weld Modeling in Simulation
Method 2 would produce much lower stresses than actual because the load transfer happens over the area of the smaller plate instead of only at the welds.
Assuming it's a fillet weld, could you model the weld as a separate part? You could make a triangular extrusion and then assemble it along each edge of the smaller plate? Then within Simulation, apply a bonded contact between the weld and the edge of the plate as well as the weld and the face of the larger plate.
RE: Weld Modeling in Simulation
The stresses were also too high. If the skid was built as I was ordered to design it, the engine mount supports would have bent enough to notice under the engine's dry weight.
(
I don't know if that happened. My boss got yelled at for allowing me to waste time producing a fancy report with colored stress contours and magnified deflections. The report didn't actually cost them much. I did the whole thing in a couple of hours on a Saturday, on my time.
Not long after that, before the product was built, I got caught in a mass layoff.
No good deed goes unpunished.
)
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA