Study on welding deformation of the side beam based on numerical simulation method

The welding deformation is a key factor affecting the production quality of the side beam of the subway bogie frame. A major issue is how to control the welding deformation during the manufacturing processes. Based on the ＂Local- Global＂ method, the thermal cycle and the stress of a local model extracted from the global side beam model were simulated. The simulated strain result was mapped into the global model as an initial load to simulate the welding assembly deformation. Then the deformation distribution of the side beam was obtained by elastic finite element method, and compared with the measurement results. Furthermore, the welding deformation under different welding sequences and constraints was simulated. The influence of the welding sequences and constraints on the side beam deformation was analyzed. The results indicate that the deformation is the smallest when the sequence is symmetrical and decreases with the increase in constraints.