full pen splice of W36 Girder 2

[Lutfi]

I have a W36 steel beam. It is grade A992. The fabricator wishes to have it spliced utilized a pre-qualified full pen weld. They also propose to test the welds ultrasonically. I have several questions as follows:

1. Any comments on the NDT testing method?
2. Is there a better method?
3. How much the heat from welding will affect the beam?
4. Are any of the AWS pre-qualified joints acceptable?

If I go along with this, the splice will be located at the middle third to avoid maximum moment zone.


Regards,
Lutfi

 

[metengr]

I can comment on several of the questions;

1. Any comments on the NDT testing method?

Ultrasonic testing is appropriate for this application. What will be your acceptance criteria for recordable indications?

2. Is there a better method?

For this application you need to have some type of volumetric examination method. Radiographic testing is the other alternative. For this application, I believe UT is well suited. I would add that you should also consider a surface examination, like wet fluorescent MT after all welding is completed to supplement the volumetric examination.

3. How much the heat from welding will affect the beam?

It depends on the welding process. I would say that you need to carefully monitor your interpass temperature during welding. This will be stated in your welding procedure. The bulk mechanical properties of the beam should not be affected.

4. Not sure about AWS pre-qualified weld joint configuration because I don't have AWS D1.1 handy.

 

[GRoberts]

Metengr's responses make a lot of sense. As for the joint, AWS requires joint preperation on both sides when possible, so any single or double bevel, or J would not be appropriate. Single of double V, or U would be. What you need to make sure of though, is how the fabricator is going to address the "T" sections of the beams. A good discusstion on that subject is at the link below.

http://www.aws.org/cgi-bin/mwf/topic_show.pl?pid=45854;hl=rat hole#pid45854

 

[HgTX]

Make sure that the welding procedure balances the weld seqence to minimize distortion. In other words, if they start by welding the top side of the top flange and just work their way down from there, it will not go so good.

Hg

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