Minimum fillet weld size, 3/16ö or +ö
Minimum fillet weld size, 3/16ö or +ö
(OP)
In fabricator’s connection shop drawings, ¼” fillet (NS and FS) weld is specified to the weld between the web of W8x18 (0.229” thick) to a ½” thick end plate. In my view, the ¼” is not necessary here, 3/16” is good enough.
What do you think? Any harm to the steel connection if the weld is more than enough?
What do you think? Any harm to the steel connection if the weld is more than enough?






RE: Minimum fillet weld size, 3/16ö or +ö
RE: Minimum fillet weld size, 3/16ö or +ö
I've used 3/16" as the minimum weld for structural connection for many year. Somehow I noticed some fabricators use 1/4" as the minimum anywhere now.
RE: Minimum fillet weld size, 3/16ö or +ö
Perhaps he just doesn't want to change his welding set-up for the different fillet sizes. Are all of the other fillet welds in your project 1/4"? Regards.
RE: Minimum fillet weld size, 3/16ö or +ö
RE: Minimum fillet weld size, 3/16ö or +ö
1. AISC 9th edition, table J2.4 Minimum size of fillet welds calls for a MINIMUM of 3/16 fillet weld if the material thickness of the thicker part being joined from 1/4 to 1/2. I would interpret this as being inclusive. Meaning that 1/2 inch would require 3/16 fillet weld.
2. The engineer should specify a fillet weld size should design and stress requirements are different from those AISC minimums.
3. I have seen many times where engineers specify ridiculous weld sizes that are very time consuming and expensive to the owners. I can speculate on why this is done.
4. I have also seen many engineers mislabel welds and their call outs. AWS publishes a book on the weld symbols and the proper way to use them. I recommend to every SE to have one on his or her shelf.
Regards,
Lutfi
www.cdeco.com
RE: Minimum fillet weld size, 3/16ö or +ö
Although I don't need to follow the AISC weld specifications.
The rule of thumb I use is that the maximum size fillet weld allowable is the minimum plate thickness of the parts being welded.
However if you use a larger weld than is required then your heat input is increased and distortion of the welded parts also increases.
regards desertfox
RE: Minimum fillet weld size, 3/16ö or +ö
Minimum Fillet Weld Sizes:
MATERIAL THICKNESS OF MINIMUM WELD SIZE
THICKER PART JOINED (in)
(in)
Up to 1/4 inclusive 1/8
Over 1/4 to 1/2 3/16
Over 1/2 to 3/4 1/4
Over 3/4 to 1-1/2 5/16
According to AISC the above fillet weld sizes are governed by the THICKER of the two pieces being jointed, except that the weld size need not exceed the thickness of the thinner piece unless a larger size is required by calculated stress.
The maximum weld size is limited to the thickness of the THINNER part jointed.
RE: Minimum fillet weld size, 3/16ö or +ö
RE: Minimum fillet weld size, 3/16ö or +ö
Have a merry Christmas and a Happy 2005!
RE: Minimum fillet weld size, 3/16ö or +ö
Remember....that which we measure with a micrometer will be marked with a crayon, then cut with an axe.
RE: Minimum fillet weld size, 3/16ö or +ö
Hg
RE: Minimum fillet weld size, 3/16ö or +ö
For this particular connection, as per the discussion above, I believe 3/16” is the proper fillet weld size for engineer to specify. In general, I am reluctant to oversize the welds, not only for economy (smaller-longer is better than larger-shorter), also I concern the larger welds will have deeper penetration (burning) into the base material, which is detrimental to thin plates. The “lamellar tearing” (as described in AISC, ENGINEERING FOR STEEL CONSTRUCTION, a sourcebook on connections) is another concern.
RE: Minimum fillet weld size, 3/16ö or +ö
Have you asked around to find out how the 1/4" got there?
Hg
RE: Minimum fillet weld size, 3/16ö or +ö
RE: Minimum fillet weld size, 3/16ö or +ö
Hg