Verification of FE-simulation Simplified by Shell Elements for Welding Process of Steel Bridge Structural Member

Abstract

This study verified a simplified method of FE-simulation for the welding process of steel bridge structural members. The T-shaped joints between the web of plate girder and the stiffener were modeled by shell elements. A method for considering the thermal conduction from the weld bead to the T-shaped joints was proposed. The comparison of the experimental and the analytical results showed the validity of the heat input model. They also showed the effect of the computing-time saving. The accuracy of the welding process simulation of the proposed model was almost equal to that of the ordinal model by solid elements. The proposed model could save the computing time by 83 % compared to that of the ordinal model by solid elements. The case study for a larger model assuming an I-section girder also provided the effectiveness of the proposed model.