Weld Design Calculations

For fillet welds,

The most likely yield point would be the thinnest cross-section of the weld which is at the throat. The
weld strength is calculated based on the cross-sectional area of the weld at the throat.

Electrodes should be selected to match the base metal.

Use E70XX electrodes with steels that have a yield stress less than 60 ksi.

Use E80XX electrodes with steels that have a yield stress of 60 ksi or 65 ksi.

Calculate for the strength of the following welds

1. 3/4” and 8” long fillet, loaded along the weld, made using an E70 electrode

a. if the weld is 3/4” x 3/4”

b. if the weld is 1/2” x 3/4”

a. The strength of the weld (F) is given by the equation, F = 𝜎TA, where 𝜎T is the allowable tensile yield
stress of the weld, A is the cross-sectional area at the throat which is equal to the height of the
throat multiplied by length of the weld.

For an E70xx electrode, the yield stress is 70 ksi. Thus,

F = 70[(0.75)(sin45º)(8)] = 296.9848 kips

2. Butt-welded. Plate is 8” wide and 1/2” thick.

For butt-welds, A is the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the load on the weld.

F = 𝜎TA = 𝜎T (thickness of weld x length of weld) = 70(1/2)(8) = 280 kips

NOTE: Some safety factors may be imposed on the design strength of the weld material.

For example, the allowable tensile stress of the weld may be set at 60% of the yield stress of the weld
material and the design strength is 75% of the nominal strength.

If this was the case,

Fdesign = 0.75*Fnominal = 0.75*𝜎TA = (0.75)(0.6*70)(1/2)(8) = 126 kips

3. A 8” x 1/2” steel member is to be welded along AB and CD. Determine the minimum length of weld
needed for a load of 100 kips located exactly between the welds an AB and CD. The weld material is
E70. Assume allowable tensile stress of 60% of the tensile stress of the weld material and that the
design strength is 75% of the nominal strength of the weld.

A B

C D

Assume that the weld height of 1/2” (same as the plate height).

100 = Fdesign = 0.75Fnominal = 0.75(70*0.6)(0.50)(sin45º)Lmin

Lmin = 8.9791”

∴ LAB = LCD = 4.4896”

4. A 8” x 1/2” steel member is to be partially welded along AB and CD and fully welded along AC on
another wider plate. Determine the minimum length of weld needed along AB and CD for a load of
300 kips located 3” from AB and 5” from CD. The weld material is E70. Assume allowable tensile
stress of 60% of the tensile stress of the weld material and that the design strength is 75% of the

A B
3”
5”
C D
nominal strength of the weld.

∑ Fx: 300 = 0.75(0.6*70)(8)(sin 45º)(0.5) + FAB + FCD

FAB + FCD = 210.9045

∑ MA = 0: FCD(8) = 210.9045(3); FCD = 79.0892

FCD = 79.0892 = 0.75(0.6*70)(sin 45º)(0.5) LCD

LCD = 7.1015”

∑ MC = 0: FAB(8) = 210.9045(5); FAB = 131.8153

FAB = 131.8153 = 0.75(0.6*70)(sin 45º)(0.5) LAB

LAB = 11.8359”

To check, using the minimum length of weld required for the load, (8 + LAB + LCD):

300 = 0.75(0.6*70)(sin 45º)(0.5)(8 + LAB + LCD)

(LAB + LCD) = 18.9374”