FEM Analysis of RSW and LBW Implementation on Side Wall Penal Assembly of Stainless Steel Railway Vehicles

Abstract

Comparative finite element method (FEM) analyses of resistant spot welding (RSW) and laser beam welding (LBW) on stainless steel railway vehicles to assembly the framework and the side wall penal were conducted. The stress and strain of RSW joint and LBW lap joint were calculated under the same loading conditions by FEM simulation, respectively. The analyses revealed that not only the stress concentration occurred but also the maximum stress existed in the RSW joint compared with LBW lap joint under the same load. In contrast, LBW technique had more advantages than that of RSW technique in joining the car body framework and side wall penal of railway vehicles in the respects such as smaller deformation, better air tightness, and better appearance of car body and higher efficiency of processing.