Weld Surface Mapping

When running analyses that contain weld surfaces, it is important to consider how the weld surface results are mapped to the structural model. Use the *WELD SURFACE MAPPING keyword in the HIN file to modify the mapping algorithm.

The *WELD SURFACE MAPPING keyword must be preceded by a *MATERIAL keyword. See the HIN File topic for more information about the *MATERIAL keyword.

Minimum Projection

The default Minimum Projection algorithm searches for all of the weld surface points contained in a given structural element. If any points are found, the lowest strength reduction factor in that element is applied to all Gauss points within the element. The Minimum Projection method is useful if you have a coarse structural mesh.

*WELD SURFACE MAPPING, METHOD=MIN PROJECTION

When the Minimum Projection algorithm is used with the Constant strength method (*WELD SURFACE STRENGTH, METHOD=CONSTANT), the entire element is assigned the specified strength reduction factor.

Shepard's Algorithm

You can use the HIN file to switch from the default Minimum Projection method to the Shepard's mapping algorithm. The HIN file can also be used to adjust the default settings of the Shepard's algorithm to have greater control on how weld surface data is mapped to the structural model. Both the range multiplier, Ar, and the distance weighting exponent, p, can be adjusted with the use of the *WELD SURFACE MAPPING keyword. Review the Weld Surface Mapping topic for more information about how Ar and p are used in the Shepard's algorithm. Ar and p must both be positive numbers. Ar and p default to a value of 1 if left unspecified.

*WELD SURFACE MAPPING, METHOD=SHEPARDS
Ar, p

An example HIN file setup with Ar = 0.9 and p = 1.2 is given below.

*MATERIAL, name=CA-Material-1
*WELD SURFACE MAPPING, METHOD=SHEPARDS
0.9, 1.2