Accuracy validation of the deformation results of the inherent strain method based on vacuum vessel mockup

Welding is commonly employed to connect large-scale components in practical engineering. Predicting the resulting deformation and residual stresses during the welding process is typically essential. The thermal-elastic-plastic method simulates the welding process by examining heat distribution and elastic-plastic stresses. Despite its high computational accuracy, this method is often time-consuming, rendering it less suitable for large component welding predictions. In contrast, the inherent strain method skips the welding process and focuses on the inherent strain in the weld and joint areas post-welding. This method is fast and convenient, particularly suitable for the analysis of large and complex structures. The results show that the error rate is 4.6% when using the inherent strain method to calculate the welding deformation of the test plate. In the calculation of welded parts, the error rate is 5%, which is within the tolerance of the actual engineering. In this paper, the simulation accuracy of the deformation results of the inherent strain method is validated by simulating fusion vacuum vessel mockup, aiming to reduce the cost of welding analysis by using this method and to provide reference for practical welding applications.