Finite element models for assessing the structural integrity of spot welds

Abstract

Resistance spot welding is widely used in mass production industries to join sheet metal parts together. Normally such components need to resist both static and cyclic loading. This paper deals with the structural hot spot stress approach for analysing the structural integrity of spot welds. Five different finite element spot weld models under tensile shear loading mode were analysed using the finite element software package ANYS [1]. The paper presents a comparison exercise between the results obtained from the spot weld models. A comparison with some experimental specimens was made in order to validate strain results in the vicinity of the spot welds. The spot weld models analysed were the single elastic beam model, the rigid beam model, the umbrella model, the multi point contact model and the solid element model. The solid element model served as a means to verify results obtained from shell and beam models.