Applicability of the gaussian distribution heat source model to the thermal simulation of welding processes

Abstract

Welding processes are considered a thermal-mechanical-metallurgical coupled issue. The most important boundary condition in the thermal analysis is the heat source model. Although many studies have been carried out to propose different types of heat source models, the limitations of each model application have not been clearly specified. The Gaussian heat source is a model in which heat is generated over a surface; therefore, it may not be suitable to be applied to thick plates. In this study, the accuracy of the Gaussian heat source model is investigated in bead-on-plate welding by the TIG process. Analyses are performed by the ANSYS® software, considering the convection and the radiation phenomena. Several cases with different parameters of heat distribution, heat input and plate thickness have had their weld pool geometries analyzed and compared with those obtained experimentally. Analyses of the influence of the radial distance from the center of the Gaussian heat source and the thickness of the plate on the bead width and the penetrated depth of the fusion zone boundary are presented. Results have shown the adequacy and the limitations of the Gaussian heat source model in the welding simulation.