Incorporation of Taguchi approach with CFD simulations on laser welding of spacer grid fuel rod assembly

The high heat density laser welding process minimizes the thermal distortion and residual stresses. Optimal welding process parameters are necessary to ensure the quality of weld. Identification of such welding process parameters is possible through incorporation of Taguchi approach with CFD simulations. This paper deals with CFD simulations on laser beam welding (LBW) of spacer grid fuel rod assembly as per the Taguchi's L9orthogonal array and identification of optimal LBW parameters with pulsed laser for spot and seam welding of spacer grid. Empirical relations are developed for the weld-bead geometry in terms of the LBW process parameters and validated with numerical simulations.

Automated summary

This paper discusses the use of CFD simulations and Taguchi approach to identify optimal laser beam welding parameters for spacer grid fuel rod assembly. Empirical relations for weld-bead geometry based on process parameters are developed and validated with numerical simulations.