Types of Joints

Joint: the junction of the workpiece(s) that

are to be joined or have been joined.

Faying surface: the mating surface of a

workpiece in contact with or in close
proximity to another workpiece to which it is
to be joined.
The faying surfaces of these joints have
FIG. 52 been marked by a thick black line.

FIG. 51 Definition of a joint

Basic Joint Types

FIG. 53 Types of joints

Basic Types of Welds
There are three basic types of welds:

1) Groove welds
2) Fillet welds
3) Plug and slot welds

Other types of welds include:

Arc spot and seam welds

Edge welds
Flange welds
Surfacing welds
Groove Weld

Fillet Weld

FIG. 55 Fillet welds in corner, T- and lap joints

Plug and Slot Weld Arc Spot and Arc Seam Welds

FIG. 56 Plug and slot welds FIG. 57 Arc spot and arc seam welds
Surfacing Welds

FIG. 58 Examples of surfacing welds

Edge Welds

FIG. 59 Edge welds

Classification of Groove Welds
Groove welds can be classified:

In terms of efficiency:
complete joint penetration groove welds (CJP)
partial joint penetration groove welds (PJP)

In terms of shape:
Square “U”
Bevel Flare-
“V” bevel
“J” Flare-V

The illustration shows the classification system. FIG. 60 Classification of welds

Single-Groove Welds

FIG. 61 Different types of single-groove welds

Double-Groove Welds

FIG. 62 Different types of double-groove welds

Joints and
Applicable Welds

FI. 63 Types of joints and welds

Groove Weld Terminology
Groove weld - a weld made in
the groove between two
members to be joined

To describe the geometry need

data such as:
plate thickness
bevel or groove angle
grove radius of a J-groove Typical bevel-groove weld preparations
FIG. 64
root face and
root opening
Groove Weld Terminology
Illustrations A and B – weld size is the thickness of the plate
Illustration C – weld size is the thickness of the thinner part joined
Illustration D – weld size is the depth of penetration

FIG. 65 Joint and weld terms

Fillet Welds
 Most commonly used type of weld
 Does not require special preparation
 Joins two surfaces usually at right angles
 Made in lap joints, tee joints or corner joints
 Effective throat - the shortest distance from the root of the weld to its face, less any convexity.

FIG. 66 Concave fillet weld FIG. 67 Convex fillet weld

Fillet Weld Features, Throat thickness and consideration
Welding Positions
Position of welding affects:
 ease of laying beads
 efficiency
 selection of filler
 welding process

Plate Welding Positions

 Flat Welding Position (1F or 1G)
 Horizontal Welding Position (2F or 2G)
 Vertical Welding Position (3F or 3G) Welding position for plate
FIG. 68
 Overhead Welding Position (4F or 4G)
 Welding Positions
INCREASING DIFFICULTY

FLAT

HORIZONTAL
OVERHEAD

VERTICAL
Pipe Welding Positions

FIG. 69 Typical positions of welding for pipe

Joint Selection
There are two important principles in the design of welded joints:
 Safe performance under service conditions—requires consideration of the properties of the steel
used and of the loading conditions
 Economy of welding—requires optimization of the joint preparation for welding.

Joint Geometry
Factors to consider in selecting the groove geometry include:
 The welding process: operational features, penetration characteristics, positions of welding
 Material thickness
 Positioning for welding
 Minimizing volume of deposited weld metal but still allowing for proper access
 Use of pre-qualified joints
 Fit-up tolerances and factors affecting workmanship
 Control of distortion and shrinkage
 Minimizing material handling
Square Groove Welds
 Economical for thinner thicknesses and for
arc welding processes

 Careful procedural control is necessary to FIG. 71 Butt joint with zero root opening

obtain a reliable degree of joint penetration

 Increasing the root opening increases the

depth of joint penetration.

 If the root opening is too wide, the molten FIG. 72 Butt joint with root opening

weld metal will drop through due to gravity.

V- and Bevel- Groove Welds

Single V- and single-bevel groove welds are economical for thicknesses

less than or equal to 20 mm (3/4 in).

The bevel-groove has an advantage over the V-groove because only one
part has to be prepared - fusion is more difficult.

Pipe splices are a typical application of single V-groove welds - typically

welded from one side, with a standard groove angle of 75°.

Double V- and double-bevel groove welds are suitable for thicknesses

from 20 mm to 40 mm (3/4 in to 1½ in) thickness
 J- and U- Groove Welds

Single and double J-groove welds generally

require less volume of weld metal than
bevel grooves—prone to incomplete fusion FIG. 74 Advantage of J-preparation

Seldom used in structural work

Single and double U-groove welds require

less volume of weld metal than J-grooves -
must be machined except for shallow U-
grooves for back welding
FIG. 75 Advantage of U-preparation
Symbols for Welding
 System of signs, rules and conventions for conveying and placing
information on drawings

 Appropriate interaction between the design, drafting and production

personnel

 Facilitate communication between the designer, fabrication and

inspection/examination personnel
Welding Symbol Terminology

There are three standard terms that are important to understand:

 Weld symbols
 Supplementary symbols
 Welding symbols
Weld Symbols A weld symbol specifies a specific type of weld. The pertinent types of welds considered under AWS
A2.4 “Specification for Symbols for Welding, Brazing and Nondestructive Examination” and the basic
weld symbols representing them are shown.

FIG. 117 Basic weld symbols

Supplementary Symbols

FIG. 118 Supplementary symbols

Elements and Location of a Welding Symbol

The basic elements of a welding

symbol are:

 Reference line
 Arrow
 Basic weld symbol
 Dimensions and other data
 Supplementary symbols
 Finish symbols
 Tail
 References
Weld Symbols
Placement of the Vertical Line

FIG. 120 Weld symbols showing accentuated faces FIG. 121 Weld symbols showing the vertical line to the left
Supplementary Weld Symbols

FIG. 122 Supplementary symbols showing the weld shape

Significance of the Arrow The arrow on a welding symbol always points to the joint
that is to be welded. It must point to one side of the joint
or the other side. Below in the diagrams is not the
welding symbol arrow or information line this is on slide 34

FIG. 123 Joint definition used for arrow and other side in welding symbols
Arrow Side and Other Side of Joints

FIG. 124 Arrow side/other side of joint.

Example of Arrow Side/Other Side

FIG. 125 Cruciform joint

Tail of the Welding Symbol
Information placed in the tail includes:

a) The welding process used

b) Codes, specifications or standards

c) Designating something as typical

d) If no reference is required the tail may be

deleted

e) In some cases the basic symbol may be FIG. 126 Information in the tail of a welding symbol
insufficient and the weld may have to be
specified by cross section etc.
Field Weld Symbol

Field welding - welding in a place other

than that of initial construction.
FIG. 127 Field weld symbol

The erection phase of welded construction

work will most likely involve welding in the
field, or on site.

The weld symbol shows a flag placed above

and at right angle to the reference line at
the junction with the arrow.
Melt-through Symbol
 Used when complete joint penetration and
root reinforcement is required in welds made
from one side.

 It is placed on the side of the reference line

opposite to the weld symbol.

 The height of the reinforcement may be

specified to the left of the melt-through
symbol or be unspecified. FIG. 128 Application of the melt-through symbol on a groove weld
Location and Extent of Welding
Welding symbols specify continuous welds
between any changes in the direction of welding.

For direction changes - additional welding symbols

or multiple arrows are used
FIG. 129 Location and extend of welding denoted by
multiple arrows

Multiple arrows originate from a single reference

line

The all-around welding symbol specifies a weld all

around the joint.

The symbol is not required for welds around the FIG. 130 Location and extent of welding denoted by the all-
circumference of a pipe around symbol
Break in the Arrow
For bevel groove or a J-groove welds, if the
arrow has a break then it points to the
member that is to be bevelled, as shown.
FIG. 131 Break in the arrow

However, the arrow does not have to be

broken when:

a) It is apparent which member is to be

bevelled.

b) There is no preference which member is

to be bevelled. FIG. 132 No break in the arrow
Combined Weld Symbols
a)

b)

FIG. 133 Combined weld symbols

Multiple Reference Lines

FIG. 134 Multiple reference lines

Sequence of Welding
The specified sequence for each case will be:

Sequence (a)
1) make the bevel-groove weld on the arrow side
2) make the flat fillet weld on the arrow side
3) make the back weld on the other side

Sequence (b)
1) make the backing weld on the other side
2) make the bevel groove weld on the arrow side
3) make the flat fillet weld on the arrow side

FIG. 135 Example of the use of multiple reference lines

Sequence of Weld Symbols

FIG. 136 Combination weld symbols

Complete Joint Penetration Groove Weld

Information required:

 The depth of preparation

 The angle at which such preparation should be
made
 The root opening required for proper fitting of
the two members in the joint

FIG. 137 Elements of a complete joint penetration groove weld

Double-Groove Weld Symbols

FIG. 138 Double groove weld symbols

Depth of Preparation and Groove Weld Size

FIG. 139 Depth of preparation and groove weld size

Single Partial Joint
Penetration
Groove Welds

FIG. 140 Single-groove welds on joints with partial joint penetration

Double Partial Joint Penetration Groove Welds

FIG. 141 Double-groove welds on joints with partial joint penetration

Flare Groove Welds

FIG. 142 Flare-bevel and flare V-groove welds

Flare-Bevel Groove Welds

FIG. 143 Flare-groove weld symbols

Length of Groove Welds

FIG. 144 Specification of the length of welding of groove welds

Location and Extent of Groove Welds

FIG. 145 Specification of the extent of welding of groove welds

Contour and Surface Finish Symbols

FIG. 146 Contour symbols.

FIG. 147 Surface finish symbols

Flush and Convex Contour Symbols

FIG. 148 Application of flush and convex contour symbols

Joints with Backing
Joints with backing are welded from one side onto a backing bar. The backing bar is a
separate piece of metal that the weld fuses to. Backing is used:

when there is no access for welding from the other side

to increase productivity

 The symbol for backing is a rectangle, as shown in Figure 149.

 In the welding symbol for a groove weld with backing, the supplementary backing
symbol is on the opposite side of the reference line to the groove weld symbol.
 When the backing is to be removed after welding, an R is placed in the backing symbol.
 The material and the dimensions of the backing are placed in the tail of the welding
symbol or in notes on the drawing
 Backing may be metallic or non-metallic
Joints with Backing

FIG. 149 Joint with backing

 The welding symbols on Figure 150(a) specify ASTM A36 steel backing.
They specify a V-groove weld made into a 45° groove with a 6 mm root
opening. The V-groove is to be 12 mm deep, the full thickness of the
plate.

 The welding symbols on Figure 150(b) specify removable backing made

from ASTM A36 steel. They specify a bevel groove weld made into a 30°
bevel with a 10 mm root opening. The bevel is to be 12 mm deep, the full
thickness of the plate.
Joints with Backing

FIG. 150 Examples of symbols for joints with backing

 Joints with Spacers
 The symbol for joints with a spacer is a rectangle.

 When multiple reference lines are used, the rectangle

is placed on the reference line nearest to the arrow.

 The material and the dimensions of the spacer are

specified in the tail of the welding symbol or on the
drawings.

 Spacers can be used for any type of double-groove.

 The placement and dimensioning is the same as for

any other groove weld.

FIG. 151 Symbols for joints with spacers

Material Used for Backing and Spacers

FIG. 152 Letters used to identify material for backing and spaces
Joints with Consumable Inserts
A consumable insert is a piece of filler metal that is
placed at the root of a joint. It is completely fused into
the root of the joint and becomes part of the weld.

The symbol for a consumable insert is a square. It is

placed on the opposite side of the reference line to the
groove weld symbol.

Additional information about the insert is placed in the

tail of the welding symbol.

FIG. 153 Symbols for consumable inserts FIG. 154 Application of the consumable insert symbol
Back Gouging

FIG. 155 Use of GTSM in the tail of a welding symbol

Use of Solid and Dotted Lines
CSA Standard W59 provides for the use of dotted lines to indicate preparation of
U- or J- grooves by the arc-air process after assembly or on the second side of
the joint-after welding the first side.

Solid lines indicate groove preparation prior to assembly for welding.

The use of solid and dotted lines is shown.

FIG. 156 Use of solid and dotted lines

 Seal Welds

FIG. 157 Use of seal weld in the tail of a symbol

Specification of Fillet Welds

FIG. 158 Standard locations of the elements of a fillet welding symbol

Symbol, Size and Length of Fillet Welds
Symbol:
 The vertical side of the triangle that specifies a
fillet weld must always be on the left side of
the weld symbol.

Size:
 The fillet weld size, S, must be shown to the
left of the weld symbol on the same side of FIG. 159 Dimensions of single fillet weld

the reference line as the weld symbol.

When the fillet welds are on both sides of

the joint, their sizes must be specified on
both sides of the reference line.
Symbol, Size and Length of Fillet Welds
Length:
The fillet weld length, L, is shown to the
right of the weld symbol. If it is not full
length and spaced the fillet center to next
fillet weld center is specified as Pitch, P. FIG. 160 Application of symbols for size and length of weld

If a fillet weld extends for the full length of

the joint, there is no need to specify the
length.
The location and specific lengths of fillet
welds may be specified by symbols
combined with dimension lines on the
drawing.
Intermittent Fillet Welds Specification of Intermittent
Fillet Welds

FIG. 161 Types of intermittent fillet welds

Not full joint length fillet welds are called Intermittent

fillet welds. The spacing is communicated by Pitch,
center to center distance between two fillet welds.
Pitch equals Length of fillet weld plus the gap between
weld distance. This is indicated with a dash (-) after
the length of the fillet to the right of the weld symbol
and fillet length.
FIG. 162 Pitch and length of intermittent fillet welds
Single Intermittent Fillet Welds

FIG. 163 Single intermittent fillet weld symbol and dimensions

Chain Intermittent Fillet Welds

FIG. 164 Chain intermittent fillet weld symbols and dimensions

Staggered Intermittent Fillet Welds

FIG. 165 Used of symbols for staggered intermittent fillet welds

Plug and Slot Welds

Plug weld—a weld made in a circular hole in one member of a joint fusing
that member to another member.

Slot welds—a weld made in an elongated hole in one member of a joint

fusing that member to another member. The hole may be open at one end.

 Plug and slot welds are not used as extensively as groove and fillet welds

 The plug weld symbol should not be used for fillet-welded holes.
Specification of Plug and Slot Welds

Plug Weld Size

FIG. 166 Elements of plug and slot welding symbols FIG. 167 Dimensions of plug welds

The welding symbol in Figure 167 specifies a plug weld in a

straight sided, 12 mm diameter hole. The hole is to be filled
flush to the plate surface.
Angle of Countersink

FIG. 168 Angle of countersink for plug welds

Spacing and Number of Plug Welds
Pitch of plug welds in a straight line is specified to the right of the symbol.

For other configurations, the spacing of plug welds must be dimensioned on

the drawing.

Number of plug welds is specified in parentheses on the same side of the

reference line as the weld symbol, either above or below the weld symbol,
as appropriate.

When the angle of countersink is also included in the welding symbol, the
number of plug welds is placed either above or below angle of countersink,
as applicable.
Spacing and Number of Plug Welds

FIG. 169 Spacing and number of plug welds

Specification of Arc Spot Welds

FIG. 170 Elements of spot symbols for welding

 Joint and Weld Prequalification per CSA W59.
These are examples of welding symbols specifying a welded joint design that
have been “proven” as acceptable for the welding process indicated without the
need to mechanically test and have CWB approve the welded joint

FIG. 70 Typical joints for prequalified welding procedures

Prequalified Joints

FIG. 73 Prequalified complete joint penetration groove

welds for the shielded metal arc welding process
(SMAW)
REVIEW
 CSA & AWS. Welding Symbols

Depth of Root
Bevel Opening
1(1-1/8)
1/8
60o

Effective Groove
Throat Angle
 AWS. Welding Symbols

FCAW
1(1-1/8)

Applicable to
any single Single Bevel
groove weld
 AWS. Welding Symbols

Sequence of 3rd Operation

Operations
2nd Operation

1st Operation
FCAW
1(1-1/8)
1/8
60o

The sequence of operations can be specified to include not

only welding sequence but also NDT
FILLET WELD WELDING SYMBOL
 AWS. Welding Symbols

Dimensions- different Leg Lengths

6 leg on member A
6x8

Member A

=
6

Member B 8