Numerical simulation of welds of thick steel sheets for some experimental models towards ITER TF coil case

In order to set up the welding techniques to be utilized for ITER TF coil case, it was considered that the numerical simulations might be an important tool in order to give some information on deformations and residual stresses due to the different phases of welding. TIG and SAW with filler material are the welding techniques considered. By the numerical point of view, until 1998, the numerical simulation of these welding types was practically an uninvestigated problem. Studies, researches and developments have been carried out with the aim to single out the calculation tools and methodologies to be used. Reference has been made to some experimental models with simple geometry and reduced dimensions, which, however, consider a more complex experimental model. The welds of these models were followed by several measures for different physical quantities of interest to be compared with the corresponding numerical results. Subsequently, studies and researches, still in course, concerned simplifications of the numerical procedures, which, however, can produce equivalent results and are able to simulate the welds of more complex pieces, having big dimensions.