Thermal distortion of stiffened plate due to fillet welds computational and experimental investigation

Prediction and control of thermal distortion is particularly important for the design and manufacture of multiply stiffened welded structures. This study aimed to develop and experimentally validate a comprehensive simulation tool to predict distortion, with particular emphasis on out-of-plane deformation generated in double-sided fillet-welded attachments. Simulation was used to optimise the relative positions of a twin-arc configuration, to give minimum out-of-plane deformation consistent with reasonable production time for single stiffener, double-fillet attachments. The critical buckling load of the structure was approached and exceeded as the arcs were brought closer and simulation allowed the influence of this factor to be determined.