The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (2019) 104:477–487

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-019-03861-5

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Implementation of weave patterns by path parameterization

in the simulation of welding processes by the finite element
method
Heitor Abdias da Silva Pereira1 · Marcelo Cavalcanti Rodrigues1 · João Vitor Lira de Carvalho Firmino1

Received: 28 December 2018 / Accepted: 8 May 2019 / Published online: 4 June 2019
© Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature 2019

Abstract
One of the most common practices to produce high-quality welds with greater efficiency is the execution of arc
weaving. Although the finite element method (FEM) has been widely used in the simulation of welding, the mathematical
models of heat sources representing the electric arc do not cover the execution of weave patterns, and adaptations are,
therefore, required. In the present paper, the incorporation of these patterns on FEM simulations of welding is based on
the parameterization of the path traveled by the heat source. Two case studies using ANSYS Mechanical APDL were
performed, in which the proposed approach was compared with the coordinate transformation method, the most commonly
used technique for the implementation of weaving, based on data from Hu et al. (Sci Tech Weld Joi 11:358–365 2006) and
also from an experimental analysis. The results revealed that the path parameterization method is as capable to represent arc
weaving in welding simulations as the coordinate transformation method. Moreover, the path parameterization method has
the advantage of being able to model many different weave patterns, in an easier-to-implement way. Also, the simulation may
provide relevant information regarding the thermal cycle of weaving welding process, which can be used for the adjustment
of welding parameters and the prediction of welding defects.

Keywords Weaving welding · Finite element method · Path parameterization · Heat source model · Thermal cycle

1 Introduction The temperature distribution during welding is crucial

Welding holds a prominent place in the industry nowadays
as the most widely used metal-joining process. Such
popularity is justified by the versatility of the process,
and high structural quality of welded components, among
other factors. Therefore, understanding the welding effects
is particularly important to ensure the integrity and
optimal operation of mechanical components. In the most
common electric arc welding processes, high heat input
is used to join two metal parts through the localized
melting of filler metal, or even the base metal of the
workpiece, thus affecting the properties of the materials, the
microstructure, and consequently the characteristics of their
service performance.
 Heitor Abdias da Silva Pereira
abdiasheitor@gmail.com
1 Campus I - Lot. Cidade Universitaria,
João Pessoa, PB, 58033-455, Brazil
for the results obtained in the joining of the metal parts,
as well as for the joint properties, such as the shape and
chemical composition of the weld bead, the dimensions of
the thermally affected zone (TAZ), the presence of defects,
and the levels of residual stresses. Thus, the study of the
mathematical modeling of the heat sources used to represent
the action of the electric arc in the piece during welding
is essential to obtain relevant information regarding the
component performance and possible problems related to
the welding [1]. Several heat source models [2–4] have
been introduced over the years, each offering attractive
aspects and limitations, to a greater or lesser extent, with
an emphasis on the double-ellipsoidal power density model,
capable of suitably representing the thermal gradients on the
frontal and rear portions relative to the central position of
the electric arc action and, therefore, considered one of the
most versatile models [4].
The finite element method has often been used to
simulate welding operations aimed at the analysis of the
thermal cycle and temperature distributions [5–7], residual
stresses [8–11], and distortion [12–14], because, with
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the correct characterization of the problem, it is able to
represent the welding operation with optimal accuracy.
The weaving movement, by promoting greater penetra-
tion and producing a wider weld bead, can increase the
efficiency of the welding process and, therefore, is widely
used for achieving high-quality welds. However, as the heat
source models used in the simulations of welding processes
include only the translational movement of the electric arc
in its formulation, adjustments are required for the weaving
to be considered. Such implementation has been carried out
in the simulation of different cases [15–17], but mostly with
a single weave pattern, using the coordinate transformation
approach, which, despite producing good results for the pat-
tern it represents, is unable to model the simulation of more
complex movements performed during the operation.
Thus, this paper proposes the implementation of weaving
patterns through path parameterization, performing the
simple oscillatory, oscillatory with penetration, and square
wave weaving patterns as examples, with the double-
ellipsoidal power density distribution as a reference for the
heat source. This approach establishes the methodology
to be followed on the simulation, using any FEM
software, of even more complex patterns used in weaving
welding processes. In addition, it presents two case
studies: the first one, based on the numerical and
experimental results of Hu et al. [15] for the temperature
distribution and thermal cycle on a plate submitted to
a weaving welding process, compares the accuracy of
the proposed path parameterization approach with the
coordinate transformation method, used in the referred
paper; the second one, based on the authors’ own
experimental data, shows how FEM simulations, using
the proposed approach, may provide relevant information
regarding the thermal cycle on the weaving welding process,
overcoming some of the challenges that the realization of
experimental analyses usually involves.
2 FE simulation of welding and methodology
2.1 Thermal considerations
To achieve the joining of two metal parts, electric arc
welding processes use a torch connected to a power
source that, when establishing electrical contact with the
workpiece, locally heats the welding region to melt the filler
metal or even the base metal. During this contact, the torch
moves along the joint, dropping molten metal and filling the
bevel. The maximum observed temperature reaches levels
as high as the melting point of the materials.
Since welding produces a temperature gradient in the
component, there is heat transfer by conduction into the
workpiece. Equation 1, in which ρ is the density, c is the
Int J Adv Manuf Technol (2019) 104:477–487
specific heat, k is the thermal conductivity, and qg is the
internal heat generation, is responsible for describing the
temperature distribution.
∂T
ρc = ∇ 2 (kT ) + qg (1)
∂t
The electric arc provides most of the energy to the
process. The incident thermal power is given by Eq. 2, in
which η is the efficiency of the process, U is the welding
voltage, and I is the welding current.
Q = ηU I (2)
This energy is distributed throughout the workpiece
according to some heat source model.
In addition to conduction, the heat involved in the
welding is dissipated by convective heat transfer, according
to Eq. 3, and thermal radiation, represented by Eq. 4.
Q = hA(Ts − T∞ ) (3)
Q = εσ A(Ts4 − Tenv
4
) (4)
For Eq. 3, h is the convective coefficient, A is the external
area, Ts is the temperature of the external surface, and
T∞ is the temperature of the external flow. In Eq. 4,
ε is the emissivity of the surface, σ is the Stefan-
Boltzmann constant, and Tenv represents the temperature of
the surrounding environment.
2.2 Double-ellipsoidal power density distribution
The model used to define the heat input resulting from the
action of the electric arc on the workpiece during welding
is the double-ellipsoidal power density, originally proposed
by Goldak et al. [4] to overcome the limitations of previous
models. Essentially, it establishes that the heat input is
distributed along the workpiece in the form of two ellipsoids
centered at the incidence point of the electric arc: one for
the frontal and the other for the rear portion. The ellipsoids
have different semi-axis parameters, as shown in Fig. 1.
In this model, the heat provided is given by a function
qg that associates a volumetric heat generation rate to each
point of the workpiece, for each moment of the time.
Equation 5 represents the double-ellipsoidal distribution,
for the frontal and rear portions of the distribution center.
Parameters ff and fr are the fractions of the heat deposited
in these two portions, respectively, and their values must
satisfy ff + fr = 2. In addition, Q is the input power, given
by Eq. 2, v is the translational welding velocity, and a, b,
cf , and cr are the semi-axes of the distribution.
⎧ √
⎨ 6 3ff√Q e−3(x 2 /a 2 +y 2 /b2 +(z−vt)2 /cf2 )
qg (x, y, z, t) = abc √f π π (5)
⎩ 6 3fr√Q e−3(x 2 /a 2 +y 2 /b2 +(z−vt)2 /cr2 )
abc π π
r
Int J Adv Manuf Technol (2019) 104:477–487
Fig. 1 Double-ellipsoidal power density distribution
The main merit of this model is the appropriate
representation of the temperature gradient, both in the
sharper aspect of the frontal portion and in the smoother
behavior at the rear portion [4].
2.3 Weaving welding and the path parameterization
approach
The weaving, also known as braiding or oscillation, is a
secondary motion carried out during welding. It consists of
the execution of weaving movements as the electric arc runs
through the entire joint to be welded, seeking the deposition
of a wider weld bead, the correct fusion of the bevel walls,
the proper filling of the joint, a more stable weld pool out of
the flat position, and the depletion of gases involved in the
procedure [18]. Several weave patterns may be performed
depending on operation, the operator’s expertise in the case
of manual welding, and the desired result. Figure 2 shows
some of the many possible weave patterns.
Fig. 2 Few possible weave patterns
479
The coordinate transformation method has been used in
several studies to simulate the weaving welding process
[15–17]. This method consists of two linear transformations
of the original coordinate system, which has one of its
axes aligned with the joint where the joining of the plates
occurs, thus defining two auxiliary local coordinate systems
that indicate the directions taken by the center of the arc
in the weave execution [15–17]. Then, these two new
systems are replaced in the double-ellipsoidal power density
distribution, which has new spatial variables defining
it. Possible disadvantages of this method for the weave
application are difficulties in the code implementation and
the lack of flexibility to incorporate penetration movements
or more complex weave patterns. The path parameterization
method, proposed as an alternative to the coordinate
transformation method, is based on the description of the
route of the electric arc incidence point on the workpiece
during the weaving process, which corresponds to the center
of the double-ellipsoidal distribution in the mathematical
model, as a parameterized curve given by a function
that associates, for each point in time t, an ordered trio
(x0 (t), y0 (t), z0 (t)) that is part of the running path. Later,
this curve is used directly in Eq. 5 as the instantaneous
position of the center of the double-ellipsoid that defines the
power density distribution, as shown by Eq. 6.
⎧ √
⎪
⎪
6 3ff Q −3((x−x0 (t))2 /a 2 +
√ e
⎪
⎪ abcf π π
⎪
⎪
⎪ (y−y0 (t))2 /b2 +(z−z0 (t))2 /cf2 )
⎨
qg (x, y, z, t) = (6)
⎪
⎪ √
⎪
⎪ 6 3fr√Q −3((x−x0 (t))2 /a 2 +
⎪
⎪ e
⎪ abc rπ π
⎩ (y−y0 (t))2 /b2 +(z−z0 (t))2 /cr2 )
This principle was used by Kim and Rhee [1] to define
a control algorithm for the welding voltage in the weaving
welding processes. The main advantages of this method
are its simplicity and the possibility of parametrizing any
complex curve to be used in simulations of a weaving
welding process.
2.4 Numerical simulation of welding by the FEM
For a numerical analysis of the welding operation, the
correct characterizations of the physics involved, as well
as an adequate mathematical representation of the electric
arc action on the workpiece, are always necessary.
The temperature gradients and the induction of thermal
deformations and stresses during welding give rise to a
multiphysics phenomenon with a high degree of complexity.
However, although the stress distribution is closely linked
to the reached temperature levels, the opposite has not been
480
prominently verified, so uncoupled analyses, or one-way
coupling as they are also known, are usually performed [10].
For this approach in multiphysics problems, the thermal and
mechanical analyses are performed individually because the
dependence between these fields is much more pronounced
in the thermal–mechanical sense. In the case of obtaining
the temperature distribution, only a thermal simulation
needs to be performed.
For a transient thermal simulation, it is necessary to
provide the properties from Eq. 1, ρ, c, and k, as well
as the correct adjustment of the solver to the material
non-linearity, if the properties are modeled as temperature-
dependent functions. Another relevant aspect, and also a
source of non-linearity, is the deposition of the weld bead,
usually modeled, whenever present, by the “birth and death
element” technique [10], in which undeposited elements are
disabled before the start of the heat source movement, and
are opportunely activated when it is providing heat near to
the position in which they are located. The deactivation is
achieved by multiplying the material thermal conductivity
matrix by a severe reduction factor, which is undone at the
element activation time.
This paper aims to show how the path parameterization
method is capable of representing the thermal aspect
of the phenomenon. Therefore, despite Hu et al. [15]
having also performed mechanical analyses to determine the
residual stress distribution, it is straightfoward to assume
that if the proposed approach meets its purpose, and
considering the uncoupled aspect of its multiphysics, the
correct characterization of the mechanical aspect on a later
simulation will also be conducted to correct results. Thus,
the present paper will restrict itself to thermal simulations.
2.5 Methodology
Figure 3 presents the geometric parameters observed to
proceed with the parameterization of the path to be traveled
by the electric arc in the analyzed weave patterns. The
thickness w of the plate and bevel angle θ are highlighted.
Regarding the weaving movement, despite the specific
Fig. 3 Geometric parameters to be used on parameterization
Int J Adv Manuf Technol (2019) 104:477–487
features of each pattern, its main parameters are the
weave amplitude, that is the maximum aperture width
of the weaving in the transverse direction to the overall
translational movement of the electric arc and may be
written as wtanθ by Fig. 3. The weaving frequency, f , is
the number of completed weave cycles per time unit. It is
also relevant to note that v refers to the longitudinal velocity
of the electric arc.
2.5.1 Simple oscillatory wave
Three different procedures for parametrizing a weave
pattern are idealized. The first one, used for mathematically
straightfoward patterns, seeks a direct way to represent the
functions (x0 (t), y0 (t), z0 (t)) for the path. Figure 4 presents
a simple oscillatory pattern, and for its parameterization, it
is observed that the movement occurs without penetration,
so that the entire curve is on a plane parallel to the xz
coordinate plane, positioned at the coordinate y equal to
the thickness w of the plate. In addition, the movement is
restricted to an oscillatory pattern that may be described by
a sinusoidal trigonometric function.
Therefore, according to the nomenclature in Fig. 3,
the curve representing the weaving movement can be
parameterized according to Eq. 7.
x0 (t) = wtan(θ)sin(2πf t)
y0 (t) = w (7)
z0 (t) = vt
After the parameterization, the curve may be used as the
center of the heat source, according to Eq. 6.
2.5.2 Oscillatory weave with penetration
Still regarding this direct procedure to parametrize a curve
that represents a weave pattern, in order to implement the
penetration movement to the simple oscillatory weave, one
Fig. 4 Simple oscillatory weave
Int J Adv Manuf Technol (2019) 104:477–487
can observe that, compared to Eq. 7, the coordinate y0 (t) no
longer remains constant because the movement is no longer
restricted to a plane parallel to the XZ coordinate plane.
Instead, from the analysis of Fig. 1, it is possible to find a
direct relationship between coordinates x0 (t) and y0 (t) from
the equation of the line that defines the bevel, according to
Eq. 8.
y0 (t) = |cot (θ)x0 | (8)
Thus, because the movement according to coordinate xo
behaves in such a way as to be written as a sinusoidal
function in time t, there is also a function yo (t). Figure 5
represents the movement, and its parameterization is
shown by Eq. 10. The discriminant variable x0 (t), which
distinguishes the two sentences, may be implemented by a
simple additional conditional command.
x0 (t) = wtan(θ)sin(2πf t)
y0 (t) = cot (θ)wtan(θ)sin(2πf t)
(9)
z0 (t) = vt
if x0 (t) > 0
x0 (t) = wtan(θ)sin(2πf t)
y0 (t) = −cot (θ)wtan(θ)sin(2πf t)
z0 (t) = vt
(10)
if x0 (t) ≤ 0
2.5.3 General patterns
The second procedure proposed, suitable for more complex
patterns, relays on the use of the Fourier series function
representation. In the case of a square wave, considering the
parameters of Fig. 2 and its representation in Fourier series,
the parameterization found is described according to Eq. 11.
∞
x0 (t) = 4wtan(θ)
π n=0 2n−1 sin((2n − 1)πf t)
1
y0 (t) = w (11)
z0 (t) = vt
Fig. 5 Simple oscillatory weave with penetration
481
The more terms of the series considered, which can
be accomplished through simple repetition structures, the
closer to the actual square wave pattern the movement
is. Figure 6 shows this pattern representation, highlighting
the assumed forms for different numbers of terms used in
the Fourier series. A procedure similar to what is done
for the oscillatory pattern can be performed to implement
penetration.
The third option is executed when the pattern may neither
be described by simple mathematical expressions nor by
a Fourier series representation. This procedure consists of
using some point capture software that allows the operator
to define a proper system of coordinate axes, and thus,
with the use of a sketch from the geometry with the
weave pattern, to determine a table with ordered triads
(x0 (t), y0 (t), z0 (t)) that compose the path to be covered by
the electric arc. The points stored in this table, in which each
column is a coordinate of the triad, are then allocated as the
center of the thermal input distribution. The control of the
welding speed is performed by informing the time interval
between the collection of points in the table.
3 Case studies
3.1 Comparison case with Hu et al. [15]
The analysis performed by Hu et al. [15] is replicated to
establish a comparison between the path parameterization
method, the coordinate transformation method, and exper-
imental results. For convenience, the chosen commercial
software for the FEM simulation of the weaving welding
process was the ANSYS Mechanical APDL . However, the
path parameterization approach may be used in any other
suitable software for the weaving welding simulation.
Figure 7 provides the representation of the geometry of
the analyzed plate, with dimensions 300 × 200 × 20 mm, as
well as the mesh used in the finite element simulation. The
weld bead has an extension of 240 mm and was performed
30 mm from both extremities of the plate and was modeled
throughout the longitudinal dimension, with the deposition
of the weld bead appropriately simulated through the birth
and death element technique. The mesh consists of eight-
node hexagonal elements, similar to those used by Hu et al.
[15], with refinement in the weld bead region. Altogether, it
has 24,556 elements, totalizing 31,070 nodes, from the type
SOLID70 , the most indicated to this analysis using the
ANSYS package.
The material of the plates and the weld bead are
considered to be the same, 10Ni-5Cr-Mo-V steel, and
482 Int J Adv Manuf Technol (2019) 104:477–487

Fig. 6 Square wave weave

pattern

Fig. 7 Geometry (a) and mesh

(b) of the welded plate

Fig. 8 Thermophysical
properties of the 100
10Ni-5Cr-Mo-V steel [15]
90

80

70 Thermal conductivity (W/m ºC)

Specific heat (10xJ/kg ºC)
60
Density (100xkg/m³)
50

40

30

20
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
Temperature [ºC]
Int J Adv Manuf Technol (2019) 104:477–487
Table 1 Weaving welding parameters [15]
Voltage (V) 23 Efficiency (%)
Current (A) 150 Weave amplitude (mm)
Velocity (mm/s) 1 Weave frequency (Hz)
its temperature-dependent thermophysical properties are
shown in Fig. 8. The welding and weaving parameters used
by Hu et al. [15] are shown in Table 1. Considering the
effective length of 240 mm of the weld bead and the welding
speed of 1 mm/s, the process takes place in the 240-s range,
and all the additional time refers to the cooling of the welded
part.
The initial conditions are a uniform temperature through-
out the piece, which is equal to the environment and external
flow temperatures, adopted as 0 o C, as done by Hu et al.
[15]. As a boundary condition, we have the combined con-
vective coefficient hcomb , which includes the convection and
radiation effects, according to Eq. 12.
εσ (T 4 − Tenv
4 )
hcomb = +h
T − Tenv
An emissivity ε of 0.5 and a convective coefficient h of
20W m−2 o C −1 are adopted. All other procedures were also
implemented as described by Hu et al. [15].
The data to be compared are the temperature distribution
on the outer surface line in the central cross-section of the
plate as well as the thermal cycle of point A of that line,
shown in Fig. 7.
Figure 9 presents the temperature distribution in contours
for three different moments during the weave execution, and
the displacement of the maximum temperature region may
be observed following the movement pattern. The weld bead
Fig. 9 Temperature distribution contours for times 120 s (a), 120.5 s (b), and 121.5 s (c)
483
region without contours corresponds to the elements in the
deactivated condition, waiting for deposition.
0.7
Figure 10 compares the thermal cycle of point A obtained
10
by the path parameterization to implement the weave weld-
0.5
ing and the results of Hu et al. [15]. Considering the thermal
cycle at the highest temperature, the path parameterization
method behaved more consistently with the experimental
results, both quantitatively — the experimental tempera-
ture peak and the temperature peak of the simulation with
the coordinate transformation, according to Hu et al. [15],
were 1363 o C and 1315 o C, or an error of 3, 5% for less,
while the temperature peak of the path parameterization
resulted in 1, 383 o C, or an error of 1, 46% for more —
and qualitatively — the fluctuation of the peak tempera-
ture as well as the instant at which the levels begin to drop
were better captured by the path parameterization. Dur-
ing the cooling period, the simulation performed by Hu et
al. [15], using the coordinate transformation method, fol-
lowed the experimental results more closely compared to
the path parameterization. At this point, the most impor-
tant microstructural transformations, which happen above
(12) 727 o C, were already over.
Finally, Fig. 11 illustrates the spatial distribution of the
temperatures on the external surface line of the central
cross-section of the plate by the time when the heat source
is passing through point A, that is, exactly in the middle
of the welding execution, at the time of 120s. Its analysis
indicates that the path parameterization method allows a
good representation of the temperature distribution during
the welding process, following the experimental points as
well as the coordinate transformation. It is also noteworthy
that the maximum temperature level achieved by the path
parameterization was 1861 °C, while the one achieved by
the coordinate transformation was very close to 2000 °C.
484 Int J Adv Manuf Technol (2019) 104:477–487

Fig. 10 Comparison between

thermal cycles obtained by Hu
et al. [15] experimentally and
numerically with coordinate
transformation and those
obtained by path
parameterization

3.2 Experimental case techniques. Therefore, the use of numerical simulations is

increasing, specifically because it is able, with an adequate
Experimental analyses may provide reliable results when characterization of the problem, to provide sufficient and
properly executed. However, they are, usually, difficult relevant information about engineering problems, in which
to perform, relying on expensive tools and complex the weaving welding process is included.

Fig. 11 Comparison of the temperature distribution experimentally and numerically obtained by the coordinate transformation in Hu et al. [15],
with the path parameterization method for the time of 120 s
Int J Adv Manuf Technol (2019) 104:477–487
Fig. 12 Geometry (a) and mesh
(b) of the plates submitted to the
weld bead coating process
To illustrate this aspect, an experimental analysis of the
thermal cycle on two points of three 1020 SAE steel plate
probes, submitted to weld bead coating, was performed.
The weld beads were deposited by weaving welding process
with a simple oscillatory pattern. Figure 12 presents the
geometry of the plates, with the corresponding mesh used on
the FEM simulation, which is composed of 33,004 elements
and 42,702 nodes. Figure 13 shows the thermophysical
properties of the 1020 SAE steel.
The welding process used was the GMAW, with an
automatic welding machine controlling the wire feed, the
welding speed, and the gas flow. The oscillation for the
weaving movement was performed manually, with the help
of an amplitude limiter. The temperature of two points of
the plate, shown in Fig. 12—point 1, at 10 mm from the
weld center, and point 2, at a distance of22 mm from it, both
at 5 mm from the external surface—were measured by K-
thermocouples, in order to obtain the thermal cycle on these
points and compare with the provided by the simulation.
Fig. 13 Thermophysical properties of the 1020 SAE steel [19]
485
The welding parameters used are presented in Table 2, and
the system is illustrated in Fig. 14.
The resultant weld beads for the three plates are shown
in Fig. 15. With this result, it was possible to measure
the weld pool dimensions and use them as the coefficients
in Goldak’s distribution. The weaving frequency was also
determined, once it was performed manually, by the number
of longitudinal layers observed on the beads. For the
simulation, the same set of boundary conditions used by Hu
et al. [15] were also applied in this analysis, with an initial
temperature of 25 °C.
Figure 16 shows the comparison of the experimental
thermal cycle on the two points, achieved by the average
temperature in each instant of time, and the numerical
results obtained with the path parameterization approach
for the weaving movement. Its analysis shows that
through the simulation, it was possible to capture the
temperature fluctuations, caused by the weaving movement,
in the equivalent position of the thermocouple 1. These
fluctuations, however, do not appear in the experimental
curve, a fact that may be attributed to the low sensitivity
of thermocouples, since, in Hu et al. [15], it is quite clear
that such fluctuations must be present near the weld bead.
In the case of the thermocouple 2, because of the greater
distance to the weld bead, the fluctuations are significantly
reduced in the curve acquired through the simulation, but it
also remains absent in the experimental curve. Nevertheless,
Table 2 Weaving welding parameters
Voltage (V) 23 Efficiency (%) 0.75
Current (A) 180 Weave amplitude (mm) 10
Velocity (mm/s) 2 Weave frequency (Hz) 0.5
486
Fig. 14 Automatic welding
machine (a) and the weave
amplitude limiter (b)
in both cases, when the electric arc was active in the
workpiece, the simulation closely matched the experimental
results, with a deviation of approximately 15 °C in the
temperatures, that is 5.6% in relation to the maximum
temperature obtained experimentally.
After the heating is ceased, the numerical results
presented a slightly different behavior if compared to the
experimental data. It must not be attributed to the path
parameterization method, since the electric arc was not
acting. However, it may be associated with the difficulties
and limitations related to the realization of experimental
analyses.
4 Discussion
The path parameterization method was appropriately
described in three different approaches, with the presenta-
tion of three patterns as examples, which makes it possible
to perform the procedure for other weave patterns, no matter
how complex they are.
The validation of the method was successfully achieved
by the results presented in the study based on the work of
Hu et al. [15], since it was observed an excellent ability to
Fig. 15 Weld bead for the plate
probes 1 (a), 2 (b), and 3 (c)
Int J Adv Manuf Technol (2019) 104:477–487
represent the thermal cycle at a point close to the weld bead
during the execution of the welding in the simulation, as
well as the spatial distribution of temperatures.
As for the experimental case study, it was possible
to notice how its inherent limitations, especially those
related to the sophistication of the tools and techniques
involved, may undermine its capacity to acquire coherent
information. This analysis emphasizes a relevant advantage
of the numerical simulations. With the use of the path
parameterization on the simulation, it was possible to
capture the temperature fluctuations on the thermal cycle of
the weaving welding process, which corroborates the role
that the simulations may occupy as a tool to support the
experimental analyses.
In general, the path parametrization method proved
to be able to appropriately represent, with a good level
of accuracy, temperatures and their oscillation during
welding. It is a method that has as main advantages its
simplicity of implementation and its greater versatility
in comparison to the coordinate transformation method,
which makes possible the extensive use of the FEM in
the simulation of welding operations, and the consequent
obtaining of relevant information on the thermal aspect of
the phenomenon.
Int J Adv Manuf Technol (2019) 104:477–487
Fig. 16 Numerical-experimental
comparison of the thermal cycle
on thermocouples 1 and 2)
Funding Information This work is structurally and financially
supported by CAPES (Brazil), Universidade Federal da Paraiba and
LabII (Brazil).
Compliance with Ethical Standards
Conflict of Interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of
interest.
References
1. Kim Y, Ree S (2005) A study of heat input distribution on the
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