Numerical simulation about the effect of fixture on the welding stress and distortion of thin aluminum plate joints

The effect of welding jig on the welding stress and buckling distortion of thin aluminum plate joints was simulated by finite element method (FEM). The results show that the restraint distance and the heat conduction ability of the fixture do have essential effects on the residual stress and distortion. The residual compressive stress and distortion will be increasing with the increase of the restraint distance, while the residual compressive stress and distortion will be decreasing with the increase of the heat conduction ability of the fixture.