Abstract
HOT SPOT STRESS ASSESSMENT AT FILLET WELDED JOINT USING DIFFERENT FINITE ELEMENT WELD MODELING TECHNIQUES AND ITS VALIDATION
*Rahul Chillal and Nitin Pagar
ABSTRACT
Welded structures like compressor structure are mostly subjected to static loads as they support the compressor and its mountings. Stresses at hot spot (weld toe) are very important to ensure structural integrity and safety. Structural hot spot stress approach is preferred in this paper for stress analysis of weld region due to its accuracy and simplicity. Due to complexity, Finite element analysis of welded connections has become difficult. For representation of local stress distribution around weld and welded joint stiffness, accurate weld modeling technique along with structural stress calculation methods needed. This methodology should be accurate with minimum modeling and computation efforts. Fillet welded joints are studied in this paper as it is widely used in structures. Various weld modeling techniques with shell elements are studied. The structural hot spot stresses at weld toe are calculated using extrapolation method. The experimental testing is performed using strain gauges and FEA results are validated. From analysis of FEA and experimental results a modeling technique is proposed which is accurate with minimum modeling efforts. Increased thickness model is an effective weld modeling technique for fillet welded joint.
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