With B-U4a is WPS req. for fillet welds?

[qcrobert]

I have qualified our welders to prequalified joint designation B-U4a.

Am I required by D1.1 Code to write a separate WPS for our welders to make fillet welds?

Thank you,
QA Robert

 

[gtaw]

Why are you qualifying your welders using a prequalified joint detail?

AWS D1.1 has standard welder qualification tests shown by figures in clause 4 part C specifically for welder qualification.

The tolerances of the prequalified joint details have nothing to do with the standard welder qualifcation test.

The WPS can be general in nature and include both grooves and fillets weld details or separate WPSs can be developed for each weld type and joint type.

Best regards - Al

 

[qcrobert]

I am using a prequalified welding procedure to test (qualify) my welders to (WPQ).

You are correct about the WPS being general, I will just include the fillet weld details to it.

Thank you,
Robert

 

[gtaw]

The prequalified joint details shown in figure 3.4 have nothing to do with performance qualification. The joint details shown are prequalified joint details with tolerances for production welding, not welder performance testing.

Best regards - Al

 

[qcrobert]

Instead of qualifying a WPS that would require a PQR with tensile pulls, bends and RT, I choose a complete joint pentration groove weld (i.e., B-U2a) to write up a WPS and test my welders to that prequalified joint detail.

 

[henri2]

GTAW is correct. Welders should have been qualified in accordance with AWS D1.1 Section 4-Part C.

Once the welders pass the test, there are tables in Section 4 that indicate what type of welds, joints, positions etc, the welders are qualified to work on. I do not have a copy of D1.1 handy so I am unable to cite the tables.

Of the top of my head here is what i recall- if the welders were qualified on 1 inch thick test plates with a CJP weld for the 3G and 4G positions, they'd be pretty much qualified to weld on most non-tubuar structural steel work covered by D1.1.

Details for test plate fabrication are covered in Sec 4 of D1.1