An Investigation of Transverse Shrinkage in Single V and Bevel-Groove Butt Joints Using GMAW Process

This paper presents an investigation of transverse shrinkage in single V and bevel-groove butt joints using Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) process. Comsol software is applied to set up a thermal model and simulate welding temperature as well as transverse shrinkage of two welded joint types with changing the groove angle and root opening. Results indicate that the transverse shrinkage increases with increasing the groove angle and root opening for both single V and bevel-groove butt joints. In addition, simulated transverse shrinkages are compared to experimental finding of previous publication. A good agreement of simulated and experimental transverse shrinkages is observed for both welded joints. It can be seen that the simulated model, initial conditions, boundary conditions, and setting heat sources on the simulation software is similar to the actual experimental conditions. The simulation method can be used to quickly predict not only the shrinkage of the butt weld, but also stress and distortion of other welds types using other welding processes.