5/9/2019 Code Welding - Welds that Pass Inspection

Welders Universe
Like Page 1.6K likes

Safety Alert: EMF Radiation Hazard in Welding

> Welds that Pass Inspection <

While the goal is to join two pieces of metal, welding often involves a Code Welding Topics:
code specifying how the work should be performed. The basic idea
is to run one or more weld "beads" along the joint so the sides fuse Anatomy of a Weld
Job Search
together without any gaps in between. By following the code, a
welder insures a structure or object can withstand any impacts, Types of Beads
Welding to Code
vibrations, weathering, an earthquake, and the test of time.
Welding Parameters
How-To Guides
As the photo below illustrates, weld metal penetrates into and rises
Types of Welds & Videos
above the joint. Sometimes the final (or only) bead is ground or filed
off at the top to leave a flush surface. More often, however, it's left in Schools & Training
place to furnish extra strength and protection. A bead looks like a Types of Joints
series of dimes laid tightly together across the joint. Organizations &
Welding Symbols
Companies
Common Weld Defects
Tips & Advice
Welder Qualification Test
Via Advice section News & Reports

Intro Equipment & Supplies

Steel & Pipe

MillerWelds.com Construction

Of course, if you're constructing your own barbecue pit, or repairing Shopping

tools in your shop, your welds won’t be subject to inspection. But if
you're working on steel framing for a bridge, assembling a pressure Site Map
vessel, or installing a long-distance pipeline, the scrutiny that comes
Home
into play is quite formidable. Organizations like the American
Welding Society and American Society for Mechanical Engineers will
often have a say about the procedures, materials and type of
inspection needed before a weld can be declared acceptable.

There's a good reason for all the fuss. A weld that fails can cause a
structure to collapse. A leaking pipe caused by porosity in a weld
can result in contamination or an explosion. Whether the end result
is property damage, environmental consequences, injuries or Resources/Docs
deaths, an incorrectly performed welding procedure and/or
inspection is a big deal for all parties concerned. Quality inspections
TheFabricator.com
That's why architects and engineers are required by law to
incorporate welding and other building codes into their designs and Visual Inspection of
drawings. Building contractors must factor in the codes and welding Defective Welds
procedure specifications (WPS) when they purchase their equipment NHML
and consumeables. They must also instruct welders on amperage
settings, number of passes, heat treatment and other aspects of ABC's of Nondestructive
their assignments. Weld Examination
American Welding Society
Likewise, each welder who works on a job must be certified for the
welding process and position (overhead, vertical, etc.). On site, a Radiograph Inspections
certified welding inspector (CWI) checks out completed welds and Collaboration for
either passes or fails them based on the applicable code and Nondestructive Testing
engineering specs. (NDT)

Field Welding Inspection

Manual (PDF)
Iowa Dept. of Trans.

Understanding welding
procedure specifications

Field Welding Procedures

NCDOT (PDF)

-----------
Not a code-quality weld

Because doing the job right is paramount, most entry-level welders

start out on non-critical projects. They assist experienced welders
who do the actual welding. A trainee may be responsible for joint fit-
up, which means cleaning, grinding, beveling and tacking the base
metals before welding can begin. Welder helpers also retrieve the
welding rods and other supplies in advance of the operation. They
load wire spools onto flux-cored and MIG machines, sharpen
tungsten electrodes, connect up the leads for various equipment,

https://www.weldersuniverse.com/code_welding.html#anatomy 1/5
5/9/2019 Code Welding - Welds that Pass Inspection
replace empty compressed gas cylinders, perform fire watch, and
clean up the finished welds.
Explore Welding Programs
After plenty of observation and practice, students, apprentices or Please provide your real name and contact info to
trainees evolve into competent code welders. Success, however, receive a response from welding schools.
begins with an understanding of weld parameters, defects and
terminology. This tutorial delves into all these areas.
FIRST NAME LAST NAME

Anatomy of a Weld
For every weld, the "toes", "face", "root", "legs" and "throat" ADDRESS CITY
comprise an anatomy that code books, inspectors and instructors
refer to constantly. The diagram below, for instance, depicts a weld
as you would look at it from the side. The straight black lines at the
top and to the right represent the work plates. It may be hard to see STATE ZIP CODE

the plates at first, but one lies flat, the other perpendicular to it, with
the joint at the center.
BIRTHDAY    

Month Day Year

HIGH SCHOOL/GED YEAR MOBILE PHONE

EMAIL ADDRESS

AREA OF INTEREST

A fillet weld Building Systems, Construction, and Manufacturing

Every weld has two legs, one for each work plate, and each extends PROGRAM
from the root of the joint to the toe. The weld toe is where the base
metal "ties in" to the weld metal along the weldment face. In this Welding
graphic, the weldment is represented by the blue and shaded areas.
The weld "throat" is the distance between the root and face, which
can vary, depending on whether the weld is flush or convex (shown CAMPUS ONLINE BOTH
above). The dotted lines in the diagram show how the weld is
measured using the legs, toes and throat.

Here's a different type of weld: CONTINUE

By submitting this form, I expressly consent to be contacted by a

school/partner in the Career Now Network with materials for educational
services via telephone or text message. I understand that the calls and
messages may be transmitted using an auto dialing system.

A groove weld

In this edge view, the two work plates sit side by side, with a butt
joint running down the middle. Notice that the sides are beveled (i.e.
diagonally cut) to form a wider pocket to hold weld metal. This is
standard practice on plates or pipe thicker than about a quarter inch.
If there were no beveling, it would be difficult to penetrate all the way
down to the root from the top of the plates.

Beveling is performed with a saw, torch and/or grinder prior to

welding. The angle may be specified in a shop drawing or welding
symbol. Other dimensions for a weld are measured using the length
of the legs and the root opening (at the bottom) between the plates

V-shaped joints require more weld metal, so they're generally

completed in multiple passes. One thing the inspector will look for in
any joint is penetration, or depth of the weld. . The CWI will also
check to see that there's enough root reinforcement and weld metal
at the top of the plates (i.e. the throat). Depending on the WPS, the
weld will be either flush with the base metal on either side, or
convex. A concave weld (i.e. one that dips downward) is usually
unacceptable.

Although it's not shown in the diagram above, beveling usually

includes a "root face" when there's an opening between the plates.
The drawing below shows a face on either side, visible beneath the
light blue shaded area.

A V-groove

https://www.weldersuniverse.com/code_welding.html#anatomy 2/5
5/9/2019 Code Welding - Welds that Pass Inspection
Root faces may look innocuous, but they serve a purpose. If the
work plates were simply beveled all the way down, their bottom
edges would burn out when welded. A root face provides more
surface area to prevent this from happening. Thus, a uniform bead of
weld can penetrate down to root without leaving any gaps. This
drawing, incidentally, doesn't show the weld metal penetrating
through the root face.

GoWelding.com

While the V-groove "open-root" joint is common in pipe welding, a

different fit-up design is more often used in structural welding, as
shown above. A backing plate is welded to the two work plates to
catch the weld metal and precludes the need for root faces. So the
two plates are beveled completely.

The photo above shows the set-up for a welder qualification test. In
order to perform structural welding (with backing plates) in the
vertical position, for instance, you would have to perform this weld
to the satisfaction of an instructor or inspector in order to be
certified.

Notice the wider opening between the two work pieces. When a
backing plate is used, the standard spacing is a quarter-inch for
plates 1/2 to 1 inch thick. Good fit-up and tacking of the backing
plate are crucial to laying down a code-compliant weld.

--------------------------------

Next: Types of Beads

--------------------------------

If you have any website suggestions or concerns, email

welder [at] thecityedition [dot] com

Return to Main Menu

------------------------------------------

Copyright © 2012-2018 TheCityEdition.com

https://www.weldersuniverse.com/code_welding.html#anatomy 3/5
5/9/2019 Code Welding - Welds that Pass Inspection

https://www.weldersuniverse.com/code_welding.html#anatomy 4/5
5/9/2019 Code Welding - Welds that Pass Inspection

https://www.weldersuniverse.com/code_welding.html#anatomy 5/5