Predicting welding deformation in thin plate panel structure by means of inherent strain and interface element

摘要

In this study, welding distortion in a large thin plate panel structure was predicted by means of elastic finite element method based on inherent strain theory and interface element formulation. The welding distortions in the thin plate model computed by large deformation theory and small deformation theory were compared. The comparison suggests that the geometrical non-linearity should be carefully considered when welding distortion in a thin plate structure is predicted. In addition, the influences of welding procedure and assembly sequence on the final distortion were examined numerically. Simulation results indicate that both welding procedure and assembly sequence significantly affect the final deformation.