Hello,

I’m fairly new to the FEA/simulation scene so all help is much appreciated.

As a school project I have been tasked to analyze a fillet-lap joint with the Solidworks edge weld connector. I recently stumbled over this paper where a similar analysis has been done: 

http://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/1451-4117/2016/1451-41171601021Z.pdf

I would like to recreate this study but have met some problems and uncertainties on the way:

1)

I’m not quite sure how to define the auxiliary surface mentioned in the middle to the left of the second page in the link. My understanding is that it is a small perpendicular surface to the bottom middle surface. How should I model this surface and define its thickness? May i have I misunderstood something? Is this the only way to generate the necessary geometry to define the edge weld connector?

2)

I am having problems with solving the study for the two plates on top of each other, when defined as shells. How can I define the study so that the gap between the two surfaces is not at problem? The file I have attached contains the study I have done so far.