**4. Results and discussion**

With the finite element procedures described in the previous section, results on the problem considered are presented in this section. The finite element simulation for all the variation of welding was completed in 45 load-steps (LS). During the number of load-steps, the welding process took for 40 load-steps, while the cooling one took for the rest of the LS. For the presentation of welding simulation, the results of the LS which respectively represent the conditions of the peak temperature and the beginning of cooling processes were taken and plotted. Note that the temperature went down towards the reference (room) temperature after the LS of 41. Accordingly, the longitudinal and transverse residual stresses and the distortions occurred due to the welding sequences were presented and discussed.

3D Finite Element Simulation of T-Joint Fillet Weld:

Effect of Various Welding Sequences on the Residual Stresses and Distortions 597

**Figure 11.** The welding simulation for WS-1: (a) the peak temperature achieved at the LS of 40, and (b)

**Figure 12.** The welding simulation for WS-2: (a) the peak temperature achieved at the LS of 40, and (b)

**Figure 13.** The welding simulation for WS-3: (a) the peak temperature achieved at the LS of 30, and (b)

the temperature distribution after the welding process at the LS of 41.

the temperature distribution after the welding process at the LS of 41.

the temperature distribution after the welding process at the LS of 41.
