A practical method for prediction of distortion produced on large thin plate structures during welding assembly

Fusion welding processes are widely used to assemble large thin plate structures such as ships, automobiles, and passenger trains because of their high productivity. However, welding-induced distortion often inevitably occurs during the assembly process. Welding distortion not only reduces the fabrication accuracy of a welded structure but also decreases productivity due to correction works. If welding distortion can be predicted using a practical method beforehand, the prediction will be helpful for taking appropriate measures to control the dimensional accuracy. In this study, an elastic finite element method to predict the distortion accumulated in large and complex structures during the welding assembly process from cutting through straightening is developed based on inherent strain theory and interface element.