Development and application of software packages in welding engineering

Abstract

The weldability of some material is analyzed with simple calculating program in this paper, and weldability testing data are shared through database system. The welding procedures are designed with help of expert systems, and the knowledge is shared among welding engineers. Not only the preparing progress of the welding documents is completed with database systems but also the complex decision on the necessity of the qualification test according to the present procedure qualification records (PQRs) and manufacture codes is made. Moreover, the artificial neural network (ANN) technique is proven to be one of the effective ways to predict mechanical properties of welded joints when there are enough tested data to train the models. Finally, the achievements in modeling microstructure of welded joints are introduced, especially in solid transformation and grain growth in both heat-affected zone (HAZ) and welded molten pool.

Keywords

welding software package / finite element method (FEM) / welding procedure qualification / mechanical properties of welded joints / expert system / database system

References

[1] Wei Y H, Zhang X Z, Tian X T,A computer aided welding procedure qualification system. Welding Research Abroad , 1995, 41(2): 17–24
[2] Wei Y H, Zhang X Z, . An intelligent guarantee system for automatic design of welding procedures. In: Proceeding of International Conference on Expert System in Engineering Applications, Wuhan, China, Oct . 12-17, 1989, 439–443
[3] Cerjak H, Buchmayr B. Computer aided assessment of weldability. Transactions of JWRI, 1996, 25(2): 145–160
[4] Mishra S, Chakraborty S, DebRoy T. Probing liquation cracking and solidification through modeling of momentum, heat, and solute transport during welding of aluminum alloys. Journal of Applied Physics, 2005, 97(9): 094912 (9 pages)
[5] Liu W P, Tian X T, Zhang X Z. Preventing weld hot cracking by synchronous rolling during welding. Welding Journal , 1996, 75(9): 297s–304s
[6] Feng Z. Computational analysis of thermal and mechanical conditions for weld metal solidification cracking. Welding Research Abroad , 1996, 42(1): 34–41
[7] Dong Z B, Wei Y H, Liu R P, Three dimensional numerical simulation for the driving force of weld solidification cracking. Journal of Materials Science & Technology , 2005, 21(3): 399–402
[8] Piard A, Gamby D, Carbou C, A numerical simulation of creep–fatigue crack growth in nickel-base superalloys. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 2004, 71(16-17): 2299–2317 10.1016/j.engfracmech.2004.02.002
[9] Tan C Y, Zhang X H. Mathematical modeling and prediction of welding hydrogen-induced crack. Transactions of the China Welding Institution , 2002, 23(5): 1–5
[10] Goel V, Liao T W, Lee K S.A shielded metal arc welding expert system. Computers in Industry , 1993, 21(2): 121–129 10.1016/0166-3615(93)90130-S
[11] Bahashwan A A, Garg S B L. A review of the application of expert systems to welding. International Journal of Materials and Product Technology , 1996, 11(1-2): 89–97
[12] Wei Y H, Yang C L, Wang M. Awelding document management software package based on a Client/Server structure. China Welding , 2003, 12(1): 72–77
[13] Hidetoshi F, Bhadeshia H K D H. Preface to the special issue on “Application of neural network analysis in materials science”. ISIJ International , 1999, 39(10): 965–985
[14] Lalam S H, Bhadeshia H K D H, MacKay D J C. Estimation of mechanical properties of ferritic steel welds. Part 1: Yield and tensile strength. Science and Technology of Welding and Joining , 2000, 5(1): 135–147 10.1179/136217100101538137
[15] Lalam S H, Bhadeshia H K D H, MacKay D J C. Estimation of mechanical properties of ferritic steel welds. Part 2: Elongation and Charpy toughness. Science and Technology of Welding and Joining , 2000, 5(3): 149–160 10.1179/136217100101538146
[16] Wei Y H, Xu Y L, Dong Z B, Three-dimensional Monte Carlo simulation of discontinuous grain growth in HAZ of stainless steel during GTAW process. Journal of Materials Processing Technology , 2009, 209(3): 1466–1470 10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2008.03.062
[17] Wang W, Lee P D, McLean M.A model of solidification microstructures in nickel-based superalloys: predicting primary dendrite spacing selection. Acta Materialia, 2003, 51(10): 2971–2987
[18] Zhan X H, Dong Z B, Wei Y H, Dendrite grain growth simulation in weld molten pool based on CA-FD model. Crystal Research and Technology , 2008, 43(3): 253–259 10.1002/crat.200710966