The Welding Toolbox supports three workflows to simulate weld object behavior:

Transient Thermal Analysis

In this case, only temperature distribution is calculated in the analysis. The temperature results will depend on the welding inputs (Initial Temperature/Power, Velocity) and the proper thermal boundary conditions assigned in the model.

Statis Structural Analysis

This type of analysis works under the assumption that the welding bodies have volumetric shrinkage between an initial theoretical temperature and room temperature. This shrinkage can be calibrated to account for the deformation of the connected bodies. A temperature distribution is not calculated in this approach.

Transient Thermal Linked to Static Structural Analysis

This combines the previous two cases. First, the correct temperature distribution over time is calculated based on welding inputs and thermal boundary conditions. Then, these temperatures are imported into the structural analysis, to be used together with the mechanical setup (material properties, structural boundary conditions) to account for the weld deformation and stress state during the welding process.

The Mechanical UI process for these three types of analysis is described in the sections below. A new Weld Setup object has been developed, available in Mechanical once the extension is loaded.

A Weld Setup object can be inserted under a Transient Thermal or Static Structural analysis. When this weld object is inserted, the Weld Worksheet opens in the Mechanical editor.