Computer simulation of residual stresses in welding process using finite element method

The prediction procedures of the residual stresses in welding process were presented by using finite element techniques. Owing to localized heating by the welding process and Subsequent rapid cooling, the residual stresses can arise in the weld itself and in the base metals. The bilinear elastic-plastic material model based on Von Mises yield criterion was developed. The material non-linearity of weldment and welding fluid was dealt with using all incremental technique. Inside each step, the Newton-Raphson iteration method was utilized. A fully coupled thermo-mechanical two-dimensional analysis was performed with finite element method. The model applied in this study adopts the technique of element birth and death to simulate the weld filter variation with time in multi-pass welded joints. The effects of welding speed on residual stresses are discussed.