How to Virtually Validate Stresses in a Fillet Weld Bead Using SOLIDWORKS SIMULATION?

 SOLIDWORKS SIMULATION
(Virtual validation of Stresses in Fillet weld bead)

In general, there are few techniques to perform weld simulation; however, in this blog, we will discuss about the fillet weld bead tool, which is used to construct the weld bead in 3D solid parts/Multi-solids and carried to simulate the weld stress using SOLIDWORKS SIMULATION.

3D Model

For this study, a T-Joint model is considered. The fillet weld bead tool is used to construct the approximate version of the weld in the model. This tool allows the user to include separate material for the bead created in the model to perform the validation process, which helps in determining the optimization of the length & fillet size.

Fig: 1 T-Joint Model

Fillet Bead

It is possible to insert full-length, intermittent, or staggered fillet weld beads among any intersecting welded components such as structural members, plate weldments, or gussets.

Adding Fillet Weld Beads

1. Click Fillet Bead > (Weldments toolbar) or Insert > Weldments > Fillet Bead.

2. In the Property Manager, set options then click OK.

Fillet Bead Property Manager

To open the Fillet Bead Property Manager:
Click Fillet Bead > (Weldments toolbar) or Insert > Weldments > Fillet Bead.

Fig: 2 Fillet bead weld

There are three types of fillet weld bead available in the tool:

1. Full length

2. Intermittent

3. Staggered

In the fillet weld bead construction, full length & intermittent bead are used majorly to construct the weld.

Fig: 3 Intermittent weld

Fig3 represents the Fillet Weld bead with intermittent construction. The key factors to be considered here are Fillet size, pitch, bead length.

1. Fillet size – Length of the leg of the Fillet weld bead.

2. Bead Length – Length of each bead segment.

3. Pitch – Distance between the start of each bead.

By controlling these factors, one can able to increase the intermittent weld based on the required size.

Fig: 4 Full Length weld

Fig 4 represents the full-length fillet weld bead weld. For constructing these beads, one selects the normal plane faces & its intersecting edges.

Validation of Fillet Weld Bead

The constructed Fillet weld bead model has been carried forward to SOLIDWORKS SIMULATION for validation. The user can apply different material properties for the model & fillet weld bead. Based on the interaction provided in the connection manager and the boundary condition, the stresses on the fillet weld bead can be predicted. The below images show the model taken in the simulation domain & include materials for simulation.

Fig: 5 Material applied to Fillet Bead

Boundary Condition

Fig: 6 Boundary Condition

Stresses on the Fillet Bead

Fig: 7 Stress Plot

Here in the post-processing, one can check the stresses formed in the fillet weld bead constructed. Based on the applied material and the boundary condition, one can validate the result in the SOLIDWORKS SIMULATION study so that the weld behavior with/without distortion can be simulated using SOLIDWORKS SIMULATION.

------------Thank You----------

Contact Us: Have questions or need assistance? Feel free to reach out!

Phone: +91 94454 24704
Email: mktg@egs.co.in