A study on the welding deformation due to laser hybrid butt welding

Welding is one of the fundamental processes in manufacturing marine structures. It has been well appreciated that more efficient welding process is needed in order to improve the productivity in manufacturing procedure of marine structure. Laser hybrid welding process is one of the best candidates to meet this need. The purpose of this study is to develop the simplified formulas to predict the angular distortion and transverse shrinkage of thin panels due to butt welding using laser hybrid arc welding process. Welding tests have been carried out with varying parameters which affects weld-induced deformation. The present thermo-elasto plastic analysis by nonlinear finite element analysis scheme has been also carried out through the thermo-elasto plastic analysis, and formula to predict the angular distortion and shrinkage are derived based on results of both numerical simulation and welding tests.