TY - JOUR TI - Finite difference simulation of low carbon steel manual ARC welding AU - Al-Sa'ady Moneer H AU - Abdulsattar Mudar A AU - Al-Khafagy Laith S JN - Thermal Science PY - 2011 VL - 15 IS - 1 SP - 207 EP - 214 PT - Article AB - This study discusses the evaluation and simulation of angular distortion in welding joints, and the ways of controlling and treating them, while welding plates of (low carbon steel) type (A-283-Gr-C) through using shielded metal arc welding. The value of this distortion is measured experimentally and the results are compared with the suggested finite difference method computer program. Time dependent temperature distributions are obtained using finite difference method. This distribution is used to obtain the shrinkage that causes the distortions accompanied with structural forces that act to modify these distortions. Results are compared with simple empirical models and experimental results. Different thickness of plates and welding parameters is manifested to illustrate its effect on angular distortions. Results revealed the more accurate results of finite difference method that match experimental results in comparison with empirical formulas. Welding parameters include number of passes, current, electrode type and geometry of the welding process.