Mitigation of weld residual deformations by weld sequence optimization: limitations and enhancements of surrogate models

In this study, the use of a surrogate model to mitigate welding deformations in two simple but fundamental geometries, namely plates and pipes, respectively connected by a symmetrical 8 beads X-weld is investigated. Reasons why straight forward utilization of a surrogate model cannot give reliable results in these two cases are precisely pointed out and modifications are introduced to correct the problem. The enhanced algorithm is then shown to accurately predict displacements and to find the bead sequence giving the smallest possible displacement. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.