Impact Strength Analysis of Plate Panels with Welding-Induced Residual Stress and Deformation

The paper describes the simulation of impact loads applied on plate panels with welding-induced residual stresses and deformation (WSD). Numerical simulations using FEM are carried out to study the influence of welding-induced residual stresses and deformation on the impact strength of plate panels. Welding is simulated using a three dimensional thermal mechanical coupled finite element method. The welding stress and deformation are taken as the initial imperfections in the impact strength analysis and their influence on the behavior of plate panels subjected to impact loadings. The impact loadings from the three directions, the lateral direction and two in-plane directions of the plate panels are studied. Results show a certain reduction in the impact strength due to the existence of welding stress and deformation in the plate panels. It is found that the reduction of impact force is strongly influenced by the welding deformation and the impact directions in the plate panels. This reduction is more significant when the impact force is in the lateral direction.