Thermomechanical finite element analysis and experimental investigation of single-pass single-sided submerged arc welding of C—Mn steel plates

Abstract

Determination of distortions are important while designing the arc-welded joints. These distortions occur in a varied way in almost every type of welded joint, depending on several parameters, i.e. welding speed, plate thickness, welding current and voltage, restraints applied to the job while welding, thermal history, etc. In the present work a numerical model based on the finite element package ANSYS was developed for single-pass single-sided submerged arc welding of square butt joints. Suitable macros were developed to simulate the situation of a moving distributed heat source, metal deposition to account for top and bottom reinforcements, a time step, and a meshing scheme. In this model the effect of bead geometry was incorporated. The effect of filler metal deposition was taken into account by implementing the element birth and death technique. Submerged arc welding (SAW) can be conveniently used to weld a range of plate thicknesses in a single run using a suitable backing strip achieving adequate top and bottom reinforcements. The welding methodology established in the present work resulted in minimizing angular distortions in butt welds. The numerical model yielded results comparing well with those of the experimental ones.