Simplified welding distortion analysis for T-joints fillet welding using composite shell elements

Abstract

This paper presents simplified welding distortion analysis to describe the welding deformation of both plate and stiffener in t-joints fillet welds. Since inherent strain was proposed, various analysis, based on inherent strain method, have been widely used to predict welding distortion for ships and offshore structures. Currently, the methods using equivalent thermal strain like Strain as Direct Boundary (SDB) has been spotlighted. Regarding t-joint joined perpendicularly, however, previous method like SDB cannot represent to deformation of both members at once since the degree of freedom is shared in both members at the intersection nodes, Accordingly, in this paper, we propose new approach to simulate deformation of both members. We can produce the unique deformations by employing composite shell element and using different material property according to thickness direction with fixed temperature at intersection nodes. For verification, we compare of result from experiments, 3D thermo elastic plastic analysis, SDB method and proposed method.