Effect of Thermal Input on Finite Element Predictions of Welding Residual Stresses

A two-dimensional finite element simulation of a welding process is developed for predicting temperature histories and residual stresses in a structural steel butt-welded joint. The purpose of the simulation presented in this paper is the assessment of the effect of uncertainties in thermal material, loading and constraint input on both the thermal and mechanical analysis predictions. The model is validated by comparison with previously welded and tested specimen with published residual stresses measurements. Residual stress results are not sensitive to the thermal analysis input even if the latter has significant influence on temperature distribution. Modelling boundary conditions for both thermal and stress analyses, was identified as a key factor affecting predictions of residual stresses and distortion.