ProductsAbaqus/StandardAbaqus/Explicit Features testedThis section provides basic verification tests for the mesh-independent spot weld and mesh-independent spot-weld properties procedures. Spot-welded plates subject to pressure and shear loadingElements tested
Problem descriptionRigid spot welds are defined between combinations of two or more plates comprised of three-dimensional shell elements. The spot weld options are used to test the various ways in which the user can define mesh-independent spot welds. The three ways in which the user can define the spot-welded surfaces are verified: the user does not specify any surface, the user specifies a single surface, or the user specifically lists the surfaces to be spot welded. Limiting the surface facets considered for spot welding is verified, along with controlling the distributing coupling definitions generated by the spot welds. In addition, user-specified projection directions are tested. Structural coupling is also tested for many of the test combinations above. Each combination is subjected to the same loading conditions. In the Abaqus/Standard analyses the top plate is loaded with a uniform pressure. In the Abaqus/Explicit analyses the top and bottom plates in each combination are subjected to displacements of =.1 and =−.1, respectively, along the plate edges parallel to the y-axis. Results and discussionThe results for each combination indicate that the surfaces are spot welded appropriately. Input filesAbaqus/Standard input files
Abaqus/Explicit input files
Multi-layer spot welds between surfaces defined on various element typesElements tested
Problem descriptionVarious combinations of plates are spot welded to the faces of a bi-unit cube. These tests verify the ability of Abaqus to accurately spot weld meshes of different element types. These tests also verify several features of the mesh-independent fastener and mesh-independent fastener properties procedures including user-specified and free surface options, default and user-specified orientations and projection directions, multiple interactions, fastener property and reference node options, and fully constrained and released rotation constraints. Results and discussionThe results indicate that the fastener options tested are modeled correctly. Input files
Single-layer spot welds between surfaces defined on various element types with varying mesh densitiesElements tested
Problem descriptionIndividual plates are spot welded to the faces of a cube. These tests verify the mesh-independent fastener procedure in both perturbation and geometrically nonlinear analyses, including restart. These tests also verify fasteners on meshes of varying density. In addition, structural coupling is also tested. Results and discussionThe results indicate that the fastener options tested are modeled correctly. Input filesAbaqus/Standard input files
Abaqus/Explicit input files
Large deformation of a spot-welded beamElements tested
Problem descriptionTwo beams are spot welded together and subjected to various geometrically nonlinear deformations. Results and discussionThe results indicate that the spot welds are modeled correctly. Input files
Spot welds used in various analysis techniquesElements tested
Problem descriptionThe following examples verify that spot welds work with the following analysis techniques: mesh removal and activation, submodeling, and substructures. Results and discussionThe results of these tests indicate that spot welds are modeled correctly for these analysis techniques. Input files
Spot weld surfaces forming T-intersectionsElements tested
Problem descriptionThe following example verifies the ability of Abaqus to accurately create fasteners between plates that are oriented perpendicular to each other; i.e., forming a T-intersection. Various combinations of plates that are perpendicular to each other, as well as plates that butt against each other, are used to verify that fasteners are formed correctly for all these cases. Results and discussionThe results of these tests indicate that Abaqus correctly fastens plates forming T-intersections. Input files
Linear dynamicsElements tested
Problem descriptionA single shell element is spot welded to a single brick element. This model is analyzed using various linear dynamic procedures: steady-state dynamics (mode-based, direct, subspace), modal dynamics, random response, and spectrum response. The results of the spot-welded model are compared to similar models using connectors, beams, and distributing coupling elements. Specification of the additional mass that will be distributed to the fastener nodes is also tested. Results and discussionComparison of the spot weld model results to the results from a beam model indicates that the spot welds are modeled correctly. Input files
Compounded local coordinate systemsElements tested
Problem descriptionIf a connector element is used to model a fastener, the local coordinate system defined on the connector section () operates on the local coordinate system for the fastener () to determine the final local coordinate system of the connector element (). In other words, In the above equations and are assumed to be orthogonal rotation matrices with the local 1-, 2-, and 3-directions being the first, second and, third rows, respectively. The local coordinate system for a connector element modeling a fastener should be specified with respect to the local coordinate system of the fastener. In the first example six flat shell structures are fastened independently to the six sides of a single brick element. HINGE connectors have been used with their local 1-directions set to be ; i.e., the local 3-direction of the fasteners. When compounded with the local coordinate system for the fasteners, the local 1-direction for the connector is normal to the surface. Thus, the shell structures are free to rotate about the surface normals. In the second example six flat shell structures are again fastened independently to the six sides of a single brick element. TRANSLATOR connectors have been used. The local 1-directions (which are the slide direction for this type of connector: see Connector element library) for the connectors have been set to the local 1-directions of the fasteners. For the four fasteners on the side, the local 1-directions coincide with the global 2-directions. For the two fasteners on the top and the bottom, the local 1-directions coincide with the global 3-directions. Thus, the fastened shell structures on the sides are free to translate in the global 2-directions, while the fastened shell structures on the top and bottom are free to translate in the global 3-direction. Results and discussionThe results indicate that the local coordinate systems of the HINGE and TRANSLATOR connectors are modeled correctly. Input files
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