An Introduction to Reading Drawings
Safety Alert: EMF Radiation Hazard in Welding
> Welding Symbols - The Basics <
BY ROSEMARY REGELLO
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Like other aspects of drafting, there’s a set of symbols for welding to simplify the communication
between designer and builder (i.e. the welder). This language may seem a little strange at first, so
it's best to learn it one symbol at a time. For example, check out the horizontal stick figures below:
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These figures represent the core structure of every drafting specification for a weld to be
performed. The welding symbol has an arrow, which points to the location on the drawing
where a weld is required. The arrow is attached to a leader line that intersects with a
horizontal reference line. Finally, there's a tail at the opposite end of the reference line that
forks off in two directions. The tail is optional and needed only for special instructions.
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Dangling from the middle of the reference line, you'll see a geometric shape or two parallel
lines identifying what type of weld should be performed on the metal. This is called the weld
symbol (not to be confused with the overall welding symbol ). The three weld symbols you
see in the drawings above represent a square, fillet and V-groove weld, respectively.
The weld symbol may also be placed above the reference line, rather than below it. This
placement is important. When the weld symbol hangs below the reference line, it indicates
that the weld must be performed on the "arrow side" of the joint. For example, In the next
drawing a fillet weld is specified on the arrow side. You can see the actual weld in the second
depiction. Now, if the weld symbol appears on
top of the reference line, then the weld should be made on the opposite side of the joint
where the arrow points. Here's how that will look:
If the weld symbol appears on both sides of the
reference line, as shown below, it specifies that a weld must be performed on both sides of
the joint. Numerous weld symbols have been
devised to represent all the different weld types used in the trade, as well as any joints that
must be cut or beveled during fit-up. Here are the most common ones to learn:
If you're not familiar with either welds or joints, be sure to check out those topics in the green
menu box located on the top right side of this page. Even if you are familiar, it still takes time
to memorize all these symbols and what type of welds they represent. Therefore, it's a good
idea to print out or photocopy a chart that contains both the symbols and drawings of the
completed welds. Click here to download a sample chart or look below right of this column.
Dimensions and AnglesNeedless to say, numbers are also a big part of a welding
specification. The width, depth, root opening and length of a weld, as as well as the angle of
any beveling required on the base metal before welding can all be communicated succintly
above or below the reference line. In most cases, the
weld width (or diameter) is located to the left of the weld symbol (expressed here in inches),
while its length is written to the right . (As explained in Anatomy of a Weld, the weld's width is
the distance from one leg of the weld to the other.) Often, no length is indicated, which
means the weld should be laid down from the beginning to the end of the joint, or where
there's an abrupt change in the joint on the base metal. Dimensions written below the
reference line, of course, apply to the joint on the arrow side, while dimensions written above
apply to the joint on the other side. In the image above, welds are indicated for both sides of
the [Link], a series of separate welds is specified, rather than a single long weld.
This is common when thin or heat-sensitive metals are welded on, or where the joint is a
really long one. In the following symbol and drawing, 3-inch intermittent fillet welds are
specified: -- Notice that
the weld symbols on either side of the reference line above are offset, rather than mirroring
each other. This means the welds should be located at staggered spots on either side of the
joint, as shown in the drawing on the right.A weld symbol may also specify an angle, root
opening or root face dimension. This is common when the base metal to be welded on is
thicker than 1/4 inch. The following example is a symbol and drawing calling for a V-groove
joint: - -- - - - --
Here, the groove weld has dimensions written inside the symbol. The first is 1/8 , which
pertains to a root opening of 1/8 inch. The larger number below it signifies 45 degrees, which
represents the included angle between the plates. "Included" means the sum of the angles
beveled on each side. So in this example the bevel made on each plate is 22 1/2, which
equals 45 degrees.
Other Symbols and Multiple Reference LinesMoving to another part of the overall welding
symbol, at the intersection of the reference line and the leader line, two other symbols may
be inserted, as shown below: - - - - - - -- -
A flagpole indicates a field weld, which simply tells the welder to perform the work on site,
rather than in the shop. The weld-all-around circle, located at the same juncture, means just
that. While this symbol is often used in pipe and tubing, a non-circular structural component
(as shown above right) may likewise need welding on all sides.
Here are a few other types of instructions you might see on a drawing:-
----- A curve located above the weld
symbol's face specifies that the finished weld should be either flat, convex or concave. (If you
see a straight line, then it's a flat weld - i.e. flush face.) As shown on the top right, a V-groove
weld symbol with a box above it indicates a backing strip or bar is required for this joint. The
strip or bar must be welded onto the back side of the joint before the groove weld is
performed.
A backing strip or bar is sometimes confused with a "back weld " or a "backing weld". They
are not the same thing as using a backing strip. A back weld is where a second weld is
created on the back side of the joint after the primary groove weld is completed. Conversely,
a backing weld is a weld that the welder performs first (so it serves the same function as a
backing strip). A backing strip is a piece of metal welded on to the bottom of the plates to
facilitate a smooth, even weld. Each of these three options are illustrated below using both
the tail and the weld symbol to communicate what needs to happen.
As you can see, the only
difference between the back and backing welds is when they're performed. The symbols look
the same, so both must be specified by name. In the third symbol, the dimensions and type
of steel (A-38) for the backing strip are [Link] a welding operation involves a lot of
steps, you will sometimes see multiple reference lines on the welding symbol, as shown
below: To keep the instructions clear, several
reference lines may extend from the leader line at a parallel trajectory. Each line represents a
separate operation and is performed in order, beginning with the line closest to the
[Link] Tail = Special InstructionsAs you just saw in the case of the backing strip, the
forked tail of the welding symbol is used to convey details that aren't part of the normal
parameters declared on the reference line. For instance, the engineer or designer might want
the welder to use stick welding (i.e. SMAW), or another welding process. Or there may be
other information to convey: Of course, when no
special instructions are needed, the tail is omitted from the welding symbol, leaving just the
reference line, arrow and leader [Link] Complicated Welding SpecificationsOnce you
master the basics, you'll be ready to absorb the many other particulars conveyed on shop
drawings and blueprints. Among the most common:
• Finish and contour instructions
• Countersink and chamfer specs
• Grinding or other machining
• Spot or plug weld instructions
Below you'll find the standard chart that's used to communicate information with a welding
symbol. You may need to refer to it when there are lots of dimensions listed or uncommon
specifications to sort out.
To research welding
symbols further, follow the links in the resource box on the upper right of this page. The
Lincoln Foundation also publishes a book, "How to Read Shop Drawings", which costs $10 if
you purchase it from their website. (See the link above right.)- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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