Abstract
The welding distortion of a plate structure during the assembly process is influenced not only by the local shrinkage due to the welding thermal cycle but also by the root gap and the misalignment. The former is governed by the heat input. Meanwhile, the latter is strongly affected by the welding procedure, such as the welding sequence and restraint on the joint to be welded. A method to predict the welding distortion considering these factors is developed. The welding cracking problem is important as well as the distortion. A method for the simulation of welding hot cracking is also developed.
