In the present work, thermal modeling of GTAW welding on AISI 316L stainless steel plate is presented. More relevant theoretical aspects to be considered during the implementation of an analysis of this type are discussed. For the simulation a general purpose finite element analysis software has been used. A previously developed methodology for 3D nonlinear transient modeling of welding process has also been improved. In this methodology a subroutine in APDL language is implemented, programmed with the double ellipsoid volumetric heat source model, in a Cartesian coordinated system. The influence of the selected time step on the simulation results is analyzed. The good correlation obtained among the results calculated by means of the model and the experimental data validates this improved methodology.
Welding; GTAW; modelation; ANSYS
