Special Inspection - continuous welding inspection

[TimNY]

"multipass fillet welds and single-pass fillet welds larger than 5/16” are continuous inspections"

Is there somewhere that explains exactly what these are? eg "Welding for Dummies"? I just want to be able to recognize them and know that I should be expecting a report of continuous inspection.

The plans are all fine and dandy, but things seems to change with shop drawings, value engineering, and "we did it that way because it's stronger"

Thanks,

Tim

 

[fatboy]

See 1704.3.1 in the 09 IBC, and google for examples.

 

[mjesse]

Here is a multi-pass fillet weld

Imagine a weld needed to stitch together a gap larger than 5/16" (structural caulk

Here is another good interpretation of the requirements for special inspectors..

http://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/dsa/pubs/IR_17-3_rev04-07-08.pdf

 

[TimNY]

Thanks for the photo.. helps immensely.

I have already required the special inspector. I have his credentials and he will be inspecting the joints on the plans as required. I am in no way inspecting welding. However, I would like to know what I am looking at, so that when the inspection report comes in I know what I should have paper for. I also need to know that the proper (ie continuous where required) inspection was performed.

EDIT: in the single-pass fillet, is 5/16" the leg size or throat size? (yes, I did google )

 

[mjesse]

Leg

...

....

 

[BayPointArchitect]

One thing that I like to keep in mind - that I think might help you - is that the size of the weld should be 1/16" less that the smaller of the two pieces being welded together. Therefore, if looking at field welds on a job site... welding to the web of a W16x26 beam (only 1/4" thick), this weld SHOULD BE less than the 5/16" limit for special inspections. But if welding something really thick to the bottom flange of the same beam (3/8" thick), then I would anticipate a single pass 5/16" weld which would require special inspections.

 

[Mark K]

The 1/16" less criteria is often misunderstoof and does not apply when two plates are connected in a T. In addition you can ignore this criteria when special steps are taken to allow verification of the weld size.

The concern is that if the fillet is the same size as the connecting plate (non T configuration) that it can be difficult to measure weld size. If the weld is same size as plate the welding process can melt the sharp edge of the plate thus making it difficult to verify actual weld profile.

If you believe th 1/16" rule applies check with the design engineer. Do not tell the welder to use a smaller weld size.