Exploiting welding distortion models: examples of design and manufacturing strategies to optimise fabrication

Information from all preceding chapters in the book is applied to support design and manufacturing strategies, showing how simulation can be applied to explore alternative design configurations and manufacturing sequences. In terms of design, configuration and manufacturing sequence questions in the fabrication of multi-stiffened plates are examined. Studies also include the use of multiple welding heads, where computation is applied to show that an optimum spacing can be established, avoiding the risk of buckling. Simulation is also applied to investigate three techniques that have been proposed to mitigate distortion.