Numerical simulation and experimental validation of angular distortion and residual stresses in a T-joint

Abstract

Abstract Welding is the most important method in modern industry. However, welding distortion and residual stress after welding are inevitable. In this paper, experiments were performed to obtain the angular distortion, temperature field and longitudinal residual stress in two T plate structures after welding and post-weld heat treatment, respectively. Then, a three-dimensional thermal elastic-plastic finite element analysis using internal heat generation was carried out to simulate the deformation and stress. The FE analysis results were in good agreement with the measurements. The results showed that both, the thickness of the plates and the heat treatment, could influence the angular distortion and residual stress distribution. Finally, the welding process at a bogie was also simulated by using the same heat source model as for the T-joint. The deformation and stresses were shown and explained.