Three Dimensional Finite Element Analysis of Heat Flow in Arc Welding

in the present paper a three dimensional transient finite element analysis of heat flow in arc welding has been presented. The problem was solved by considering the important factors that influence the heat transfer in arc welding, like, temperature dependent material properties, enthalpy and stirring effect in the molten pool. To reduce the computation time, finer mesh was generated where temperature gradient was too high and gradually mesh size was increased away from the heat source. Variations of temperature along the cross section at two positions of the arc were plotted and compared with the experimental and calculated values available in the literature. Temperature history curve was also plotted and compared with the published results.