Numerical Analysis of Different SUS304 Steel Weld Joint Configurations Using new Prescribed Temperature Approach

In this investigation, numerical analysis of square butt, butt with V-groove and T-weld joint configurations have been performed to estimate transient temperature distributions and residual stresses. A computational welding simulation based on a prescribed temperature approach was used that works on thermal load input derived from temperature analysis. In the thermal analysis, welding heat source or torch temperature was considered as the prescribed value of temperature, which helps in simulating real welding conditions. The inclusion of filler metal in the numerical analysis replicates the real welding phenomenon, which provides temperature distribution along the true distance of the joints. The maximum temperature was observed at the weld pool area and decreased in parabolic shape toward the base metal. Residual stresses were measured along the selected path (in the mid of plates) that comprises node-to-node variation of stresses in both longitudinal and transverse directions. von Mises and Tresca stress criterion was adopted to show accumulated stresses in the weld joints. It was observed that stresses accumulated in the different configurations of weld joints were below the yield strength 210 MPa of SUS304 steel. Peak values of stresses were observed at weld beads and in the nearby regions.