Integrated Computational Welding Engineering - A Modeling Framework to Advance Materials Joining

ISfIM organized a distinguished lecture on Integrated Computational Welding Engineering - A Modeling Framework to Advance Materials Joining on 14 July 2023 at School of Mechanical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. The lecture was given by Professor Zhili Feng, Group Leader, Materials Joining & Distinguished R&D Staff at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA.

Lecture Abstract:

Integrated computational welding engineering (ICWE) is an integrated computational modeling framework that connects welding processes, properties, and performance of welded structures. It is built upon the development of computational welding mechanics over the past decades and will continue to evolve as our ability to better simulate various aspects of materials joining processes improves and the power of high-performance computing increases. Already, ICWE has become an important tool in today’s materials joining research and development, and technology innovation.

In this seminar, I will highlight several aspects of ICWE modeling framework developed at ORNL over the years. It will include the integrated weld process-property-performance modeling approach, and the experimental work for model development and validation including in-situ neutron/synchrotron experiments. More recent development based on high-performance computational platform has made ICWE much more powerful for high-fidelity simulations in reasonable time frame for actual structural components. Several examples of modeling applications that led to materials joining technology innovations will be presented next. Future perspectives to integrate welding modeling into the overall manufacturing process and structure performance optimizations, to adopt high performance computing, and the roles of artificial intelligence and deep machine learning will also be discussed.

Speaker Biography:

Prof Zhili Feng is Group Leader, Materials Joining and Distinguished R&D Staff at Oak Ridge National Laboratory where he manages both fundamental and applied R&D and technology innovations for diverse interdisciplinary subjects related to materials joining and allied materials manufacturing processes. Prof Feng is a proven leader with more than 20 years of experience in successfully developing major cooperative R&D initiatives between government agencies (DOE, DOD, NASA, NSF and NIST) and private industry companies from automotive, aerospace, nuclear, petrochemical and power generation industry sectors. Lead strategic growth of team and capability in highly competitive environment, as well as effectively direct, manage and deliver organizational performance of R&D organizations.

A Fellow of American Welding Society and International Institute of Welding, Prof Zhili Feng’s research covers various aspects of thermal-mechanical-metallurgical behaviors of materials in materials joining. He has made seminal contributions in several important areas such as integrated computational welding engineering (ICWE), proactive weld residual stress control, innovations in material joining including friction stir welding/processing and solid state dissimilar material joining, and application of advanced neutron and synchrotron scattering tools to study the fundamentals of weld microstructure evolution and effects on weld properties and performance of welded structures. Prof Feng leads several initiatives in materials processing and synthesis under extreme and far from equilibrium conditions.