Methodology for the automated spatial mapping of heterogeneous elastoplastic properties of welded joints

A methodology to map the heterogeneous elastoplastic mechanical properties of welded joints is presented. The approach and results of the proposed methodology are demonstrated using numerical data representing an off-axis butt-weld. This work extends the Virtual Fields Method (VFM) by introducing automated spatial parameterisation of the constitutive parameters. This extension enables the novel characterisation of welds with more complex geometries, loading conditions and dissimilar materials.