A simplified FE model for pull-out failure of spot welds

A simplified model is developed to simulate the pull-out failure behavior of spot welds in full vehicle crash simulations. The failure is only considered in the base steel which is characterized with the Gurson model. The parameters of the Gurson model are optimized from modeling several different test types of base steel. The weld region is represented by a single solid element, and its properties are optimized from modeling the coach-peel and lap-shear joints. The simplified model is validated by modeling the spot-welded coupon tests. It is indicated that an acceptable time step size for full vehicle crash simulations can be achieved with the model.