5.

4 Model pre-processing

81

With the Seam Lines correctly defined, it is finally possible to generate the weld beads
mesh in the Connection Manager window. All weald beads were created with a with of 3.5
mm. Parts to be welded must be defined in the Connection Manager. OVERLAP-SHELL is the
most suitable FE representation type but in some complex scenarios LASER-WELD-SHELL
might be suitable as well. Figure 5.13shows the Connection Manager weld bead parameters
defined for one of the multiple weld beads of the CCB structure.
During this process, it is very likely that, after the weld bead mesh is generated, remeshing
of the welded parts is needed. Another subject to be noted is the bead material definition. It is
a common pratice to define weaker steel properties for the welded beads mesh, because weld
connections always cause regions of weakness in the structure, precisely the heat affected
zone around the beads. In the present model, the same material (FEP13) was defined for
all components, including weld beads. This step is reapeted for all weld connections of the
structure.

Figure 5.13: Weld bead mesh definition.

After this step, although the model definition could continue in ANSA, the model mesh
was ouptutted from ANSA to Visual-Crash PAM.

5.4.3

Constraints definition

In order to study the CCB dynamic behaviour there are some attached components to the
CCB that play an important role and must not be ignored. Unfortunetly, they are not part
of the CCB model mesh because there was no CAD geometry file with this global assembly
available.
These components have a significant mass with their COG offset from the CCB section
center line. So, they alter the structure inertia properties by adding to it mass-moments