Edge Weld Connector PropertyManager

The edge weld connector estimates the appropriate size of a weld required to attach two metal components.

The program calculates the appropriate weld size at each mesh node location along the weld seam. Select American or European Welding Standards to perform the weld calculations.

The Edge Weld Connector is available in SOLIDWORKS Simulation Professional and SOLIDWORKS Simulation Premium.

The Edge Weld connector is not available for composite shells.

To display this PropertyManager:

Create a static Simulation study. Right-click Connections and select Edge Weld.

Weld Type

Type  
Selects the weld type.
  • Fillet, Double-Sided
  • Fillet, Single-Sided
  • Groove, Double-Sided
  • Groove, Single-Sided
Face Set 1 Selects the face of a shell or sheet metal body. The selected face belongs to the terminated part.
Face Set 2 Selects the face of a shell, sheet metal, or solid body.
For fillet welds, the selected faces of Sets 1 and 2 are perpendicular to each other. For groove welds, the selected faces are parallel.
Intersecting Edges Automatically selects the touching edges between the selected faces of Sets 1 and 2 to apply the welding. You can also select non-touching edges. The selected edges belong to the terminated part.
Weld Orientation   Available for single-sided welds only. Provides the location of the weld with respect to the shell surface alignment. A red arrow in the graphics area shows the weld orientation.
Weld is on Side 1 Positions the weld at the top surface of the shell.
Weld is on Side 2 Positions the weld at the bottom surface of the shell.
Include the induced bending moment due to asymmetry of the joint loading

Click here for an explanation of the eccentric bending moment.
The shell surface alignment controls the direction of the local weld joint coordinate system and the interpretation of the edge weld results. See Edge Wedge Definitions.

Weld Sizing

Select American Standard (American Welding Standard D1.1 and D1.2) or European Standard (Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures, Part 1.8: Design of joints, Section 4.5) to perform the weld size calculations.

American Standard  
Electrode Sets the electrode's material. To define a material that is not listed, select Custom Steel or Custom Aluminum.
Weld Strength Displays the selected electrode's material ultimate shear strength. For a Custom Steel or Custom Aluminum, enter the appropriate ultimate shear strength for the weld throat.
Safety Factor Reduces the weld's ultimate shear strength by the given safety factor.
The allowable shear strength for the electrode's material is calculated as: Ultimate shear strength / safety factor. Engineering projects governed by specific codes must adhere to the minimums and standards stipulated therein.

American National Standard for Automotive Lifts

Reduces the weld's ultimate shear strength by a default factor of 3 (ANSI/ALI B153.1-90).

Under the Hook Lifting Devices

Reduces the weld's ultimate shear strength by a default factor of 5 (ANSI/ASME B30.20).
Estimated weld size Lets the program calculate the appropriate size for the weld connector. The program compares the value of the weld size in this box with the appropriate weld size and displays the results in the Weld Check Plot. For double-sided welds, the program considers their position on the side of the shell with the weakest behavior.
European Standard  
Material of weaker joined part Select the weaker part, which is connected by the edge weld. The weaker part has the lesser material tensile strength. To enter a custom material tensile strength, select Custom.
Ultimate Tensile Strength Displays the selected material's tensile strength.
You need to define the material's tensile strength in the Material dialog box for the bodies joined by the edge weld.
Correlation Factor (βW) Enter a correlation factor between 0.8 and 1.0 for the weld calculations. See the reference table for a list of recommended values.
Partial Safety Factor (γΜ) Enter a safety factor for joints between 1.0 and 1.25. See the reference table for a list of recommended values.
Estimated weld size Lets the program calculate the appropriate size for the weld connector. The program compares the value of the weld size in this box with the calculated weld size and displays the results in the Weld Check Plot. For single-sided welds, the program considers their position on the side of the shell with the weakest behavior.

Symbol Settings

Edit Color   Selects a color for the edge weld symbols from the color palette.
Symbol size Changes the size of the edge weld symbols.
Show preview   Toggles the display of the edge weld symbols.