SimWeld and DynaWeld Software tools to setup simulation models for the analysis of welded structures with LS-DYNA

The analysis of residual stresses or distortion of welded structures requires a welding structure analysis. This kind of analysis incorporates some specifics compared to other FEM-simulations. Apart from the definition of geometry (mesh) and clamps, the welding structure analysis requires the definition of heat sources, trajectories and time schedules. The heat source applies the heat in the model according to the welding process. An equivalent heat source is used which needs to be calibrated for tests or predictively calculated from a welding process analysis. The trajectories describe the path of the moving welding heat source in the simulation model. Most welding heat sources are not rotational symmetric. Their trajectories require a path to define the local origin of the heat sources and a reference line to define the orientation of the heat source. Welding is a transient process where the time schedule of the actions - welding time, intermediate time - has an impact on the result. The process plan defines the welding time schedule and has to be considered in the simulation model.