Abstract: The double ellipsoidal model of heat source is used to analyze the thermal distributions with a three dimensional finite element method (FEM). In the mechanical model, solidification effects are treated by a dynamic element rebirth scheme. The driving force is obtained in the cracking susceptible temperature range. Moreover, this paper presents the effect of solidification shrinkage, external restraint, weld start locations and material properties on the driving force. The comparison between the simulated driving force and the experimental measurements of the material resistance predicts the susceptibility of weld metal solidification cracking.

Key words: Weld metal solidification cracking, Mechanical strain, Driving force