Setup of a numerical model for Post Welding Heat Treatment simulation of steel joints

A 3D numerical model aimed at predicting the deformations of a S355 steel T-joint in both as-welded and post-welding heat treated conditions was developed. Experimental tests were carried out with the objective to collect data necessary to the heat source calibration and model validation in terms of microstructure and joint distortions. All metallurgical phenomena were taken into account such as specific volume change and transformation plasticity induced by solid-state phase transformations. A viscoplasticity model for stress relief processing implemented in Sysweld finite elements code was used. Numerical results showed a satisfactory agreement with experimental ones. Further investigations will be necessary to consider also the validation of residual stress relief effects.