In order to assess the reliability of the proposed FE model and, in
particular, the validity of the thermal simulations results, sixK -type thermocouples have been arranged at different distances
(Figures 2A and 2B) from the weld beads in order to monitor the
temperatures distribution: two thermocouples, TC1 and TC2, at a quarter
region of the plate and at the mid-plane level (y = 62 mm,z = 4 mm), the remaining, TC3, TC4, TC5 and TC6 have been fixed
at the middle region of the plate and at the mid-plane level (y =
124 mm, z =4 mm). To record the values of temperatures, a
personal computer with a PCI 6221 DAQ (Data AcQuisition) card of
National Instrument and LabView® 2018 software have
been used. Moreover, during the welding process, both voltage and
current have been measured using a voltmeter and an ammeter,
respectively, both connected to the weld circuit.