Thesis (MScEng (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / This study involved the modelling and verification of the Shielded Metal Arc Welding of mild steel with the focus on displacement and temperature distribution prediction of welded plates. The project was divided into three phases namely; the literature survey into finite element modelling of welding processes, the modelling of a welding process and verification of the modelling with experimental results. A working welding model was created using a commercial finite element software package with the capabilities to model welding processes. The welding model was systematically developed from a two-dimensional model into a threedimensional full physics process model. Experimental measured welding heat input parameters were applied in the model, temperature dependent material properties were applied and actual structural restraints from the experiments were modelled. Displacement and temperature distributions were measured on mild steel plates welded with the Shielded Metal Arc Welding process. The plate temperature was measured at various locations with K-type thermocouples spot welded onto the plates. Plate deformation was measured at various stages of the manufacturing process. Tendencies in plate displacement were investigated with a change in certain welding parameters. The finite element model was verified and good correlations were found, especially for the temperature distribution in the welded plates.