Numerical and experimental sensitivity analysis on the welding pool shape in TIG welding

A 3D finite element model of heat and fluid flow in welding pool considering free surface of the pool and traveling speed has been developed. To validate the model predictivity, numerical and experimental sensitivity analyses were conducted using a design of experiments approach. The method FEM is used to compute all the governing equations and the method' front tracking' has been used to solve capillarity problems on the free surface. The effects of current, voltage, and speed on the geometry of the weld were studied. The comparison of these results, on the values and the effects, showed an acceptable correlation for the shape of welding pool between measurements and simulations.