Mechanical Behavior Model of Resistance Spot Weld Joints for Body Structure Crash Simulation

The mechanical behavior of Resistance Spot Weld (RSW) joints is characterized through dynamic experiments by means of a modified Charpy Pendulum.

Through complementary analysis of the joint local behavior and a global parametric study, a macro-scale RSW joint behavior law under uni-axial loading is derived. This RSW law is used in 2-D finite element models of bodystructure joints. RSW failure under uni-axial loading is successfully simulated for both simple and multiple joint configurations and under different joint parameters. Therefore, RSW joints performances in complete body crash simulation can be efficiently predicted.