engleski

A Comparison of Welded Structure Cost Calculation Methods

With the increase in material and labour costs, the optimization of welded steel structures is gradually becoming a necessity. Precise cost calculation methods are a prerequisite for the optimization process ; they enable the designers to differentiate between product variations and select the best one. However, while the calculation of the material cost is simple, the calculation of fabrication costs, which include the costs of cutting, handling, welding, and surface preparation, is harder to define. Thus, in this paper, two available cost calculation methods are compared by observing two specific welded structures: a welded I beam and a gearbox housing. Both the total and the partial costs were compared. Based on the results, it was concluded that the methods are in agreement considering the total cost values and that both methods can differentiate between the design variations comparably. On the other hand, partial costs of process segments differed, mostly due to variations in the pre-defined scope of each process (e.g., one method included handling in the material costs, while the other included it in the welding costs).

cost calculation ; welded structure ; beam ; gearbox housing ; optimization

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