Learning Forum

[je.diaza]

Hello!
I am performing a welding simulation between two plates, but when the heat flux passes through, the mesh does not contract back again. I am using the Moving Heat Flux extension in order to establish the path and the conditions of the heat flux. I have tried using a final Temperature, adding convection to the welding fillet, adding extra time to the simulation after the moving heat flux is done; but nothing works. So far, I have been able to find optimal temperature distribution but the problem is once I try to calculate the residual stresses.
Also, the simulation actually has three welding fillets (one after the other), but I havent been able to establish the initial conditions of residual stresses for the last paths after the first ones.

I really need help.

Best regards.

[dlooman]

It's a pretty difficult process to model.  Usually the birth and death capability is used when welds are actually being added to the model as opposed to just heating the base metal to a high temperature.  It's important that the weld bodies are given an elevated "Reference Temperature" so that they contract when they cool down.