Computational Mechanics of welds and welded structures

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Arc welding is a complex manufacturing process in which an electric arc generates heat in an area approximately 1 cm2 while travelling at speeds of approximately 1 to 10 mm/s to form a pool of liquid metal with volume usually slightly less than 1 cm3. As the liquid metal on the trailing edge of the weld pool solidifies in milliseconds, a weld is created. The transient temperature field drives metallurgical phase changes, thermal expansion and changes temperature dependent properties of the materials. The microstructure phases change as it is heated and cooled. The strain due to thermal expansion-contraction, phase changes and restraint of the structure generates stress and plastic deformation. The plastic strain rate leads to residual stress, deformation and damage. During the welding process, various defects such cracks and pores can form. Because cracks and pores can be a function of the stress-strain history, it is important for design engineers to have reliable estimates of the transient stress and strain fields in the neighbourhood of each weld joint to assess the risk of cracking. The residual stress in welds plays an important role in the risk of in-service failure due.