1995 Volume 35 Issue 10 Pages 1157-1161
Nowadays welding engineers use more frequently computer based methods for the analysis of weldability, like data bases, parametric equations, knowledge based systems and mathematical models. It is shown that the choice of an appropriate method and the effort spent for the model development is strongly dependent on the desired objectives. In the R&D field, mainly numerical models are applied because they are based on the underlying mechanisms and provide an increased understanding of the effect of the influencing parameters and their interactions. Beside their strong capabilities, there are however application fields where fundamental models are not so predestinated. The necessity for experimental data generation and verification will also be highlighted.