In this research, one of the alternatives for evaluating welding distortions was to use
computer simulation. A numerical analysis was then developed to determine the transverse distortion field in welded joints. The numerical simulations were carried out using
commercial software, ANSYS Workbench, based on the Finite Element Method (FEM).
Input parameters were entered, such as: current, voltage, welding speed and initial
temperature of the virtual plate. The simulations used a virtual ASTM A36 steel plate
welded using the Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) process. The influence of the geometry of the “V” and “U” bevel types on the thermal efficiency of welding, restrictions
on plate distortions and heat input were verified. Although these initial simulations are
qualitatively comparative, they have been validated on the basis of results from the
literature, i.e. they are of quantitative importance. However, only specific results were
verified that presented possibilities for combining butt joints and heat sources in structural steel. It was therefore essential to establish a sequential analysis method for adjusting the model, which would provide the main characteristics of a welding process
(heat source, joint geometry, the thermodependent properties of A36 steel). The results of the analysis showed good approximation and agreement with the literature
analyzed for both the temperature and deformation fields.
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