Abstract
For construction of steel structures, thin steel plates have been often used and welding is the main manufacturing process. However, welding processes cause some problems(welding residual stresses, welding deformations, etc.). In these problems, welding deformation is extremely harmful to the safety of structures especially. Therefore, in this study, a numerical analysis program based on large deformation plate theory has been developed to analyze and predict the welding deformation in thin plates. From the result of numerical analyse, we can find two parameters, thermal cycles and mechanical restraints affecting the welding deformation of structures. It is considered that large difference of thermal cycles and mechanical restraints in the width direction bring about welding deformation. Results of simulation have the same tendency of deformation distribution in width direction as experimental formulas.
