Non-linear and failure behaviour of spotwelds: a “global” finite element and experiments in pure and mixed modes I/II

Abstract

The paper deals with joint element model used in crashworthiness simulations. The first part of the paper is dedicated to the formulation of a new “global” finite element for spotweld modelling. The mechanical behaviour of the joint is elastic–plastic type and damage is taken into account to model the failure of the welded area. The second part of the paper concerns a new experimental procedure for joint strength analysis in pure and mixed modes I/II and for joint model characterisation. Experiment is based on Arcan principle and results are compared to open literature. In the last part of the paper, the parameters of the new joint model are identified using experiments and used for several shapes of spot-welded specimens. The model predicts reasonably the elastic–plastic part of the response but is unable to predict the post-peak response observed especially in the case of pure shear.