A numerical simulation method of arc welding

Nowadays, in metal industries, are more and more used weak thicknesses steel sheets to reduce the mass and optimize the resistance of the structures to make with the electric arc welding which remains always the most used and most economical technique. Deformations and residual stresses of most or less important levels are introduced too in the assembling thus welded. The methodology presented here can help the designer-manufacturer engineer to estimate the levels of these effects and to optimize the design and manufacture parameters for reaching the wanted performances in his plans with few computer time on 3D numerical models of great sizes. (O.M.)