Impact modeling of the weld line of tailor-welded blank

Finite element analyses of tailor-welded blank based on vehicle impact are performed to determine the effects of weld modeling techniques on simulation results. A novel welding model is put forward in this paper, including a simple representation of the weld geometry and material properties, which uses two-fold beams to simulate the behavior of the weld line under impact loading. The normal finite element models of tailor-welded blanks excluding both weld properties and geometry are also established for comparison, in which rigid links and coincident nodes are employed to join the thick and thin parent materials. Simulations of uniaxial tensile tests and impact tests are conducted to study the influences of different weld modeling methods on mechanical behaviors of tailor-welded blanks involved in vehicle impact such as failure position, deformation, and energy absorption. Our results indicate that there are a number of relatively subtle effects associated with the manner in which the weld line is modeled. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.