T-K-Y

Fabrication And Inspections

 DESCRIPTION
 Some of the most challenging structural steel welding and
inspection problems are encountered during the construction of
round tubular members, especially at the T-, K-, and Y- end
connections.

 Often, these are not primary load-carrying structures or they have

limited structural function.

 In the offshore industry, tubular TYK construction is commonly

used as the primary load path for structures such as fixed offshore
platforms.

 Some times it can be a combination of the three type of

connections
SOME T-K-Y STRUCTURES
GEOMETRICAL T,K &Y CONFIGURATIONS
 In the United States and many other parts of the world,
AWS D1.1, Structural Welding Code — Steel, is the code
used for the welding and inspection of tubular TYK joints.

 Even a cursory review of the code requirements for

tubular welding and inspection reveals that it is more
complex than flat plate structural fabrication.

 Thorough planning and training for all phases of a

structural tubular fabrication project will help to avoid
unnecessary problems and, therefore, maximize
production and minimize rework and repair.
 FIT UP
• Check the general condition of the joint

• A systematic approach to fit up inspection and marking should be used.

• First, the brace intersection angle should be verified (the required angle
will be found on the shop drawing) by placing the dihedral angle gauge
that most closely matches the required angle at the heel of the joint.

• This can be measured at the toe by using the converse of the angle. This
is a very quick dimensional check — if the angle is way off there is a
problem that needs to be addressed before the fit up itself is checked.
MEASURING TOOLS
FIT-UP OF T-K-Y JOINT
 CHECK POINTS FOR FIT-UP INSPECTION

What Should Be Inspected?

• Confirm that the WPS to be used is qualified for the particular
TKY joint configuration.
• Local dihedral angle as per WPS-
• Included angle as per WPS
• Root gap as per WPS
• Root face as per WPS
• Check for the qualification range for the welder to be used.
• Be aware preheat and inter pass temperature requirements.
• Confirm that there is an approved welding sequence
 DIHEDRAL ANGLE

 In geometry, a dihedral or torsion angle is

the angle between two planes.
 The dihedral angle of two planes can be
seen by looking at the planes "edge on", i.e.,
along their line of intersection.
 The dihedral angle  between two planes
denoted A and B is the angle between their
two normal unit vectors  
THEORETICAL DIHEDRAL ANGLE
MEASURE THE DIHEDRAL ANGLE
 A systematic approach to fit up
inspection and marking should be used.

 First, the brace intersection angle should

be verified (the required angle will be
found on the shop drawing) by placing the
dihedral angle gauge that most closely
matches the required angle at the heel of
the joint
DOLWIN-II INCLINED BRACING
SURVEILLANCE DURING FIT UP
DESIGNED DIHEDRAL ANGLE
 WPS USED FOR DOLWIN BETA
 DB 203 A(example)
WELDING SEQUENCE
 POINTS IN WELDER QUALIFICATIONS

 As per AWS d1.1 if welding is possible only from

one side the welder should be of 6GR
qualification as the difficulty to obtain a sound
quality weld.
 In this it is important to weld with a backing to
control the penetration
 But in the case of a double sided welding ,6GR
qualification is not required so far.
 For tubular components , if the diameter is
above 600mm then it can be consider only as a
plate , then we have to consider welders
qualification respectively
WELDER QUALIFICATIONS
DURING WELDING
 It is necessary to monitor the welding sequence
and welding process while welding
 Some of the project specifications eg:- Dolwin
beta we are using DNV OS 401,as per this standard
we need to record all welding parameters like
 preheat
 Current
 Voltage
 Travel speed
 Inter pass temperature
 Heat input etc
 VISUAL INSPECTION & NDT

 Visual inspection have to be done in

accordance with AWS D1.1 or the project
based standard(DNV OS C 401)
 Due to the joint configuration UT(ultrasonic
testing) is more likely used to find out the
welding discontinuities.
 There are separate qualification required for
the UT operators also , when it comes to TKY
connection.
THANK
YOU