Module 4

Weld Joint Geometry

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Welding and NDE
Symbols
 ANSI/AWS A3.0 - 94

Standard Welding
Terms and
Definitions
 Introduction - 1 of 2

• The geometry of joints and welds must be

clearly stated and understood by all parties
involved with fabrication
• Terminology used per A3.0 and A2.4
• Don’t use slang terms
• Welding symbols are a shorthand method for
clearly stating exactly what welding is to be
done and where
 Introduction - 2 of 2
• Joint and Weld geometry per A3.0-94
• Classroom discussion on A3.0
• Welding Symbols per A2.4-98
• Classroom discussion on A2.4-98
• WIT Module 4 - additional Study Guide
 Weld or Joint Geometry & Terms
• Imperative to know the difference between a
‘joint’ and a ‘weld’ and use terms properly
• Standard terms must be used when dealing with
weld joint and weld geometry to avoid errors in
communication
 5 Basic Joint Types
Refer to A3.0-94, Fig 1, page 41

• Butt
• Corner
• T-Joint
• Lap
• Edge
 Butt Joint

A Joint between 2
members aligned
approximately in the
same plane
 Butt Joint - Applicable Welds
• Bevel-groove
• Flare-bevel-groove • U-groove
• Flare-v-groove • V-groove
• J-groove • Edge-flange
• Square-groove • Braze
 Corner Joint

A Joint between 2
members located
approximately at right
angles to each other in
the form of an L
 Corner Joint - Applicable Welds

• Fillet • V-groove
• Bevel-groove • Plug
• Flare-bevel-groove • Slot
• Flare-v-groove • Spot
• J-groove • Seam
• Square-groove • Projection
• U-groove • Braze
 T-Joint

A Joint between 2
members located at
approximately right
angles to each other in
the form of a T
 T Joint - Applicable Welds
• Fillet
• Bevel-groove • Slot
• Flare-bevel-groove • Spot
• J-groove • Seam
• Square-groove • Projection
• Plug • Braze
 Lap Joint

A Joint between 2
overlapping members
in parallel planes
 Lap Joint - Applicable Welds
• Fillet
• Bevel-groove • Slot
• Flare-bevel-groove • Spot
• J-groove • Seam
• Plug • Projection
• Braze
 Edge Joint
A Joint between the
edges of 2 or more
parallel, or nearly
parallel, members
 Edge Joint - Applicable Welds
• Bevel-groove
• Flare-bevel-groove • U-groove
• Flare-v-groove • V-groove
• J-groove • Edge
• Square-groove • Seam
 Joint Nomenclature
Refer to A3.0-94, Figs 4, 5, 6, 7, pages 44 - 47
• Joint root • Groove radius
• Groove face • Root opening
• Root edge • Edge shapes
• Root face – square
– single or double bevel
• Bevel angle – single or double J
• Depth of bevel – round
• Groove angle
Figure 4 -
 Joint Root
Joint root is “ that portion of a joint to
be welded where the members are
closest to each other
• The joint root may
be either a point,
line, or an area
• The joint roots are
shown as shaded
areas in (A)-(D) and
lines in (E) (F)
Groove Face, Root Face, and
Root Edge
• Groove face is “ that
surface of a member
included in the
groove”
• Root face (land) is
“that portion of the
groove face within
the joint root”
• Root edge is a root
face of zero width
 Figure 5 -
 Groove Face
 Root Edge
 Root Face
 Figure 6 -
 Bevel Angle
 Bevel Depth
 Groove Angle
 Groove Radius
 Root Opening
Bevel Angle, Groove Angle,
and Groove Radius
• Bevel angle is the angle
between the bevel of a joint
member and a plane
perpendicular to the surface
of the member
• Groove angle the total
included angle of the groove
between members
•Groove radius applies only
to J-&U- groove welds
 Figure 7 -
Edge Shapes
• Square
• Single Bevel
• Double Bevel
• Single J
• Double J
• Flange
• Round
 Joint Geometry - Key Learnings

Refer to A3.0-94, Figures 4, 5, 6, pages 44 - 46

• A joint root can be linear in nature, or an area

• A surface can be both a Root face & a Groove
face
• An angle can be both a Bevel angle and a
Groove angle
 Weld Joints
Refer to A3.0-94, Figs 8, 9, 10, 14, 15

• Single groove - p 48
• Double-groove - p 49
• Flanged Joints - p 50
• Seam and Spot - p 53
• Various - p 54
 Figure 8 -
Single Groove Welds
• Single Square
• Single Bevel
• Single V
• Single J
• Single U
• Single Flare Bevel
• Single Flare V
 Figure 8 -
Single Groove Welds
• Double Square
• Double Bevel
• Double V
• Double J
• Double U
• Double Flare Bevel
• Double Flare V
 Figure 10 -
Flanged Welds
• Edge - Flanged Butt
• Edge - Melt Through
• Edge - Flanged Corner
• Square, Flare V
• RSW in Flanged Corner
• Fillet, Flare-Bevel in T
 Figure 14 -
Seam, Spot Welds

• Arc Seam Weld

• EB Seam Weld
• RSW Seam Weld
• RSW Spot Welds
• Arc Spot Welds
 Figure 15 -
Various Welds

• Upset Weld
• Flash Weld
• Surfacing Weld
• Slot Welds
• Plug Welds
• Fillet Welds
 Welding Position

Refer to A3.0-94, Figs 16 - 21, pages 65 - 74

• Review position diagrams & tables for groove

and fillet welds in plate and pipe - pages 55-57
• Review welding test positions for groove and
fillet welds on plate and pipe - pages 58-63
• Note error in Fig 19D, page 61
• Review Torch Position in Fig 21, page 64
 Welding Beads, Sequences
Refer to A3.0-94, Figs 22 -23, pages 65 - 67
• Stringer bead • Block sequence
• Weave bead • Cascade sequence
• Backstep sequence • Layers vs beads
 Parts Of A Weld
Refer to A3.0-94, Fig 24, pages 68 - 70
• Toe • Bead
• Face • Back weld
• Face reinforcement • Backing weld
• Root reinforcement • Spacer
• Root surface • Heat-Affected Zone
• Weld Root (HAZ)
 Figure 24 -
Parts of Welds
• Weld Face
• Weld Toe
• Face Reinforcement
• Root Reinforcement
• Weld Root
• Back Weld
• Backing Weld
 Figure 24 -
Parts of Welds

• Weld Root
• Leg, Face, Toe
• Spacer
• Weld Metal
• Heat Affected Zone
 Figure 24 -
Parts of Welds

• Weld Root
• Weld Bead
• Dilution Percent
 Weld Sizes & Terms
Refer to A3.0, Fig 25, pages 71 - 72
Convex Fillet Concave Fillet
• Leg, size equal
• Leg
• Convexity
• Size (less than leg length)
• Actual throat
• Concavity
• Effective throat
• Actual, Effective throats
• Theoretical throat equal
• Theoretical throat
Convex Fillet Weld
Concave Fillet Weld
 Joint & Root Penetration

Note Incomplete Joint Penetration dimension

 Incomplete Joint Penetration

Refer to A3.0, Fig 26 pages 75 - 76

• Term used only in reference to groove welds

• If only Partial Penetration is intended, it is
incorrect to refer to the weld as Incomplete
Joint Penetration
 Incomplete Joint Penetration

(Or Partial Joint Penetration if intended)

E total can never be > base metal thickness
 Incomplete Joint Penetration Error

Error !

Correct
Dimension
Fig 26 (c) - page 75 - Incomplete Joint Penetration
reference dimension is in error on sketch
 Melt-through, Root Surfaces
Refer to A3.0-94, Fig 27, page 77

• Melt-through
• Convex root surface
• Concave root surface
– Slang term is ‘suck back’ - Don’t Use
 Incomplete Fusion
Refer to A3.0-94, Fig 29, page 79

• Used in reference to both groove and fillet welds

• Slang term often misused is ‘cold lap’
Incomplete Fusion - 1 of 2
Incomplete Fusion - 2 of 2
 Fusion Weld Terms
Refer to A3.0, Figure 30, page 80
 Weld Discontinuities
Refer to A3.0-94, Fig 32, 33, pages 82 - 83

• Cracks - see nomenclature in Fig 33

• Undercut
• Overlap
• Underfill
 ANSI/AWS A2.4-98

Standard Symbols
for Welding,
Brazing, and
Nondestructive
Examination
 Welding Symbols - Introduction
Refer to A2.4-98

• A shorthand method of conveying welding

information
• AWS system used all over the world
• Modified as necessary to reflect needs of
industries
• Very simple, but a very powerful system for
conveying information
 Weld Symbol vs Welding Symbol

• A Weld Symbol indicates the type of Weld,

and may be a part of the:
• Welding Symbol - the complete information
needed to convey the necessary welding
information to all parties, including the welder.
It contains several elements, including the
Weld Symbol.
Weld Symbols
 Groove Weld Types - 8
• Square • U
• Scarf • J
• V • Flare-V
• Bevel • Flare-bevel

The above welds may be applied to one side

or both sides of the joint, or in combination.
 Other Weld Types - 11
• Fillet • Seam
• Plug or Slot • Back or Backing
• Stud * • Surfacing *
• Spot or Projection • Edge

* Stud and surfacing symbols are always

placed below reference line.
 Weld Symbols - Rules
• Symbols with a perpendicular leg shall have the
perpendicular leg drawn on the left side of the
symbol. (fillet, bevel-groove, J-groove, and flare-
bevel-groove)
• The symbols for Stud and Surfacing welds shall
always be drawn below the reference line.
Welding Symbol
Supplementary Symbols
 Elements of Welding Symbols

Required Elements Optional Elements

• Reference Line - • Multiple reference lines
always horizontal • Tail
• Arrow • Weld Symbol
• Dimensions
• Supplementary Symbols
• Finish
• Specification, Process
 Arrow Notation

• Information applicable to
the arrow side of the joint
is placed below the
reference line

• Information applicable to
the other side of a joint is
placed above the
reference line
Arrow Side Weld Symbols
Other Side Weld Symbols
 Side Significance

The Weld Symbol

straddles the reference
line when there is no
side Significance
• Resistance Spot Weld

• Resistance Seam Weld

• Flash Weld
 Break in Arrow Line

A break in the arrow line

signifies that the member
the arrow points to is the
member receiving the
edge preparation.
 Combined Weld Symbols
For joints requiring
more than one weld
type, a weld symbol
shall be used to specify
each weld
 Multiple Arrows
Two or more arrows
may be used for a
single reference line to
denote locations where
identical welds are
specified.
 Multiple Reference Lines
• Two or more
reference lines may
be used to indicate a
sequence of
operations.
• The first operation is
always on the
reference line nearest
the arrow.
 Field Weld & Weld All-Around

• The Field Weld symbol

is a solid flag, and is
always located at
junction of the arrow and
reference line.
• The Weld All-Around
symbol is a circle and is
located at junction of the
arrow and reference line.
 Tail

The Tail is used to

specify welding
process information
or other such
information needed to
convey the necessary
welding details.
 Welding and NDE Symbols

• Welding and NDE symbols

can be combined on the
same reference line, or on
separate multiple reference
lines.
• Combining welding and
NDE symbols on multiple
reference lines often
clarifies the exact
sequence of operations
required.
 Weld Contours & Finishing
• Weld surfaces can be
contoured to several shapes;
convex, concave, flush, or
flat.
• Finishing methods are
abbreviated as shown.
• ‘U’ denotes contour method
is ‘Unspecified’
• Contour symbol w/o finish
symbol means as-welded
 Symbol Dimensions?

• Tolerances, if required, are to be placed in tail

• Welding Symbols are usually drawn without
dimension units such as inches or millimeters.
• But, Welding Symbols to be used for
publications or those requiring high precision
should be dimensioned and have the
dimensional tolerances noted within the tail.
 Symbol Examples

• Arrow side - V- groove

• Other side - V- groove

• Both sides - V- groove

 Symbol Examples

• Back or Backing,
single J-groove, fillet

• Single-bevel-groove,
double fillet
 Symbol Examples
• Weld all-around • Multi-plane weld requirements
symbol is a very are very simple to sketch using
useful symbol symbol
 Symbol Examples
• Square-groove butt
with melt-through

• Edge weld on flanged

butt with melt-through

• Edge weld on flanged

corner joint with melt-
through
Groove Weld Dimensions - 1 of 9
• Depth of Bevel, S, and
Size of Weld, (E)
placed to the left of
the symbol

• 1/4 inch bevel with a

3/8 inch weld
(No dimensions
means complete
penetration)
Groove Weld Dimensions - 2 of 9
• Refer to A2.4, Fig 15, pg 31

• Examples of Groove Weld

Bevel & Weld Dimensions

• No dimensions means
complete penetration
 Groove Weld Dimensions - 3 of 9

• The Root Opening is

placed within the weld
symbol or just outside,
and only on one side of
the reference line
• Inches or mm per shop
practice
 Groove Weld Dimensions - 4 of 9

• Groove Angle is
placed just outside
the weld symbol
 Groove Weld Dimensions - 5 of 9

The length of the weld shall be placed to the right of

the weld symbol. No dimension required if weld is
continuous for full length of joint.
 Groove Weld Dimensions - 6 of 9

Pitch is the distance between centers of adjacent

weld segments. Pitch length is shown to the right of
the weld length dimension following a hyphen.
 Groove Weld Dimensions - 7 of 9

Chain intermittent weld dimensions are to be

placed on both sides of reference line, and
opposite each other
Groove Weld Dimensions - 8 of 9

Staggered intermittent weld dimensions are to

be placed on both sides of reference line, and
offset from each other.
 Groove Weld Dimensions - 9 of 9

• Refer to A2.4,
Fig 30, pages
36, 37

• Flare-Bevel &
Flare-V welds
 Back and Backing Welds
• The back and backing weld symbols are
identical. The sequence of welding determines
which designation applies.
• Back weld made after groove weld
• Backing weld made before groove weld
 Back Weld

The back weld symbol is placed on the

reference line opposite the groove weld using a
single reference line with note in tail. Or, use
multiple reference lines.
 Backing Weld

The backing weld symbol is placed on the reference

line opposite the groove weld using a single
reference line with note in tail. Or, use multiple
reference lines
 Joint With Backing

The backing symbol is placed on the reference

line opposite the weld symbol. The “R’’ refers to
removing the backing after welding is completed.
 Joint With Spacer

The spacer symbol straddles the reference line

within the weld symbol. Material, size in tail.
 Fillet Weld Dimensions - 1 of 5

The fillet weld size is shown to the left of the

symbol. For double fillets, each is dimensioned.
 Fillet Weld Dimensions - 2 of 5

Arrow Side versus Other Side for Fillet welds.

For double fillet welds, each is dimensioned.
 Fillet Weld Dimensions - 3 of 5

The fillet weld size for unequal leg fillets is

shown to the left of the symbol, with clarifying
information in the tail.
 Fillet Weld Dimensions - 4 of 5

The fillet weld length is shown to the right of

the weld symbol. When fillet weld is the full
length of the joint, no dimension is required.
 Fillet Weld Dimensions - 5 of 5

• Intermittent fillet welds follow the same rules

as intermittent groove welds regarding pitch
and placement of dimensions to the right of
the weld symbol.
• Chain and staggered fillets are used
• Fillet weld finishing symbols same as for
groove welds
 Plug Welds - 1 of 4

Plug weld size is shown to the left of the plug

weld symbol, and is preceded by the diameter
symbol, . Plug weld size is the diameter of the
hole at the faying surface
 Plug Welds - 2 of 4

Countersink angle is shown just outside the weld

symbol.
 Plug Welds - 3 of 4

Depth of filling is shown as a linear dimension

within the plug weld symbol when less than
complete.
 Plug Welds - 4 of 4

The pitch is shown to the right of the symbol.

The number of plug welds is shown just
outside the weld symbol, in parentheses
 Slot Welds
• The slot weld symbol is identical to the plug
weld symbol
• All conventions for slot welds are identical to
that of plug welds except that the diameter
symbol, , is not used for slot welds
• The primary difference between the two types
is the slot is an elongated hole having a width
and length rather than a diameter
 Slot Weld Symbol

Slot Welds

Note: No  symbol
is used
 Spot or Projection Welds - 1 of 4
• The spot weld symbol may straddle the
reference line when there is no side
significance, or be placed on either side if
significant.
• Spot size or strength to left of symbol
• Projection weld symbols are shown above or
below the reference line, and require the PW
designation in the tail of the symbol.
 Spot or Projection Welds - 2 of 4

Welding symbol showing spot weld size,

number, and welding method.
 Spot or Projection Welds - 3 of 4
• Spacing is shown to the right of the symbol
• Number required is shown just outside the
symbol, in parentheses
Spot or Projection Welds - 4 of 4

Projection weld symbol

 Seam Welds - 1 of 2
• Symbol may be on either side, or straddling
reference line
• Dimensioning as before; size to left of
symbol, length and pitch to right
• May be specified by size or strength
• May be continuous or intermittent
• Number shown in parentheses above or
below weld symbol
 Seam Welds - 2 of 2

Seam weld welding symbol. Note info in tail

 Edge Welds - 1 of 3

• Used to specify edge welds on edge joints and

flanged butt or flanged corner joints
• Full thickness of joint members must be fused
• Size to left of symbol, length and pitch to right
• May be continuous or intermittent
 Edge Welds - 2 of 3

Edge weld symbol application

 Edge Welds - 3 of 3

Edge weld symbol application with 3 members

 Stud Welds - 1 of 3

• Stud weld symbol always on arrow side

• Size (diameter of stud) to left of symbol, pitch
to right
• Number in parentheses just outside symbol
 Stud Welds - 2 of 3

Stud weld symbol application

 Stud Welds - 3 of 3

Stud weld symbol application, multiple arrows

 Surfacing Welds - 1 of 3

• Surfacing weld symbol always on arrow side

• Applies to single or multiple layers
• Size (thickness) to left of symbol
• Location, direction of welding in tail or a
drawing reference
Surfacing Welds - 2 of 3

Surfacing weld symbol application

 Surfacing Welds - 3 of 3

Two Weld Layers

Surfacing weld symbol application, multiple

layers
 Brazing Symbols - 1 of 3

• Brazing symbol shows joint geometry,

clearance, type of braze process, size of
braze, pitch
• Special cleaning requirements, before or
after brazing, can be noted in tail or on
drawing
 Brazing Symbols - 2 of 3

Brazing symbol application in scarf joint

 Brazing Symbols - 3 of 3

Brazing symbol with dimensions and braze type

 NDE Symbols - 1 of 2
• All conventions used are similar, if not
identical to Welding Symbols
• Must be familiar with NDE abbreviations for
test methods
• Supplementary symbols have slightly different
meaning
• Number of tests, extent of testing must be
specified
 NDE Symbols - 2 of 2

Note items and position of placement

 NDE Abbreviations
• AET • PT
• ET • PRT
• LT • RT
• MT • UT
• NRT • VT
NDE Supplementary Symbols
 NDE Symbol Application - 1 of 2

RT symbol, with angle of radiation incidence

NDE Symbol Application - 2 of 2

MT symbol, both sides for 6 inch length

 A2.4-98 - Back of Book
• Table 1 - letter designations of processes
• Table 2 - alphabetical cross reference to Table 1
by process
• Table 3 - alphabetical cross reference to Table 1
by letter designation
• Annex A & AM - Design of Standard Symbols
• Annex B - Commentary on A2.4-98
• Welding Symbol Chart