Welding numerical simulation has always been a formidable challenge because of the involved complex phenomena to be modelled. The task is increasingly challenging when multi-runs welding or welding of ships is needed to be modelled. In these cases, the computational effort is so high that solving the problem via computational welding mechanics is impossible so far. Alternatively, different simplified numerical strategies were developed to overcome this issue such as those based on the inherent strain. Unfortunately, such numerical models are rarely able to capture the effects induced by a variation of the welding sequence or clamping conditions since they are solved in the elastic filed; most of them are therefore not useful to the design optimization of a welded assembly. In this scenario, a new approach is proposed to quantify the welding induced deformations that uses virtual elements to model the weld bead in the elastic-plastic filed and auxiliary elements to apply equivalent loads determined by experiments on a single welded joint. A specific inverse analysis algorithm has been developed to use the method. The model was applied to a real welded assembly in which both the welding sequence and clamping condition were varied. In addition, for the numerical validation, a novel registration algorithm has been developed to move from solid geometries to middle plane representations. Numerical results were found in good agreement with those obtained by experiments even when the welding sequence and clamping conditions are changed.

焊接数值模拟一直以来都是一个艰巨的挑战，因为要建模涉及的复杂现象。当需要对多道次焊接或船舶焊接进行建模时，这项任务将变得越来越具有挑战性。在这些情况下，计算量很大，以至于迄今为止不可能通过计算焊接机制解决问题。替代地，开发了不同的简化数值策略来克服该问题，例如基于固有应变的那些。不幸的是，由于这些数值模型是在弹性场中求解的，因此很少能够捕捉到焊接顺序或夹持条件的变化所引起的效果。因此，它们中的大多数对焊接组件的设计优化没有帮助。在这种情况下，提出了一种新的方法来量化焊接引起的变形，该方法使用虚拟元素对弹塑性场中的焊缝进行建模，并使用辅助元素在单个焊接接头上施加通过实验确定的等效载荷。已经开发出一种特定的逆分析算法来使用该方法。该模型被应用于真实的焊接组件，在该组件中，焊接顺序和夹紧条件都发生了变化。另外，为了进行数值验证，已经开发了一种新颖的配准算法，以从实体几何形状过渡到中间平面表示形式。即使改变焊接顺序和夹紧条件，数值结果也与实验获得的结果非常吻合。