Line Gauss heat source model: an efficient approach for numerical welding simulation

In view of the characteristics of the welding heat source, a new heat sourc e model based on an established Gauss model, termed the line Gauss heat sou rce, is developed to improve calculation efficiently. A typical welding pro cess is simulated using both Gauss crud line Gauss source models. The resul ts show that using the new model, analysis time can be reduced greatly whil e high precision is maintained, and this method renders three-dimensional s imulation of some real welding structures containing long welds practical. The cutting processes for the side plate of a bridge crane beam are simulat ed using the line Gauss source model, and the results agree fairly well wit h real measurements.