Introduction
WeldFEM enables a reliable assessment of weld seams according to various standards and guidelines with little effort. The focus of WeldFEM is particularly a simple and fast handling, so that the engineer not only gets used to the general work flow quickly but also generates results in a short time. The high degree of automation relieves the engineer of time-consuming and error-prone work.
By use of WeldFEM the cumbersome standard and guideline compliant assessment of weld seams turns into an uncomplicated and cost effective process:
- FE-models are automatically examined for locations of welds without the need of special preparation.
WeldFEM focuses on FE-models comprising primarily plate/shell elements as welds are predominantly used for thin-walled structures.
Nevertheless WeldFEM is also applicable to solid structures or parts of them by use of stress gauge elements. - Based on the FE-stress results assessment utilisation factors are calculated according to standards and guidelines.
WeldFEM currently provides weld seam assessments according to the following standards and guidelines:
- DVS 1612
- DVS 1608
- DIN EN 13001-3-1
- Eurocode 3
At present WeldFEM interacts with the following finite element pre/post-processors:
- Simcenter Femap, trademark of Siemens Industry Software Inc.
- MSC Apex, trademark of Hexagon.
Thanks to the well-established communication between WeldFEM and these finite element pre/post-processors all results regarding weld detection and utilisation factor calculation can be displayed and examined simultaneously in the pre/post-processors.
More assessment standards and guidelines as well as interfaces to other FEA software systems may follow on demand.
"Standards and guidelines" is referred to as "standards" and "Finite-Element-Analysis pre/post-processors" is referred to as "FEA software" in the remainder of this document.