Section 5 Welding Symbols

5.1 AWS A2.4

5.1.1 Introduction
Symbols are an important part of the communications system used by the engineer to convey information from the
designer to the craftsmen. This method is a symbolic representation of weld requirements on engineering
drawings. it is consistent with the method used in the AWS A2.4 Standard (Symbols for Welding & NDE).

The welding symbol is an assembly of schematic weld outlines, joint dimensions, size limitations, contour
instructions and notes on a reference line, drawn with an arrow pointed to a specific weld location. The figure
below shows the standard location of various elements of the welding symbol.

5.1.1.1 General
There are eight basic points concerning the weld symbol. To completely understand how weld symbols are used by
the design engineer for shop and field installations, the information contained in 5.1.1.1 through 5.1.1.9 should be
used to properly interpret welding symbols.

5.1.1.2 The reference line is always horizontal, never vertical.

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Section 5 Welding Symbols

5.1.1.3 Information placed above or below the reference line always reads from left to right without regard to
which end of the reference line has the arrow.

5.1.1.4 The graphic weld symbol below the reference line (the letter B) refers to the arrow side of the joint,
and the graphic weld symbol above the reference line (the letter A) refers to the other side of the
joint.

5.1.1.5 For groove welds only, the broken arrow points to the specific member to be beveled. The weld
symbol shown is below the reference line; therefore, the bevel is on the arrow side of the joint. The
broken arrow points to the upper member, so the upper member is beveled and not the lower member.

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Section 5 Welding Symbols

5.1.1.6 When there is no break in the arrow, the bevel may be made in either member. Here the symbol is
shown below the reference line; therefore, the member is prepared and the weld made on the arrow
side of the joint.

5.1.1.7 The all-around symbol is the circle at the intersection of the reference line and arrow.

5.1.1.8 To convey additional information or special instructions concerning welding processes, NDE
requirements or specific joint details, a tail is placed at the opposite end of the reference line than that
of the arrow.

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Section 5 Welding Symbols

5.1.1.9 And finally, the field weld symbol, which is a flag placed on the reference line where the arrow and
reference line intersect, always points to the weld symbol. The dot should no longer be used to
indicate field weld.

5.1.1.10 Remembering these eight points regarding the weld symbol will make it much easier for you to
interpret engineering drawings and understand the weld symbol requirements.

5.2 AWS-AISC CONFLICTING SYMBOL REQUIREMENTS

5.2.1 AWS requires the size of welds to be placed on both sides of the reference line. AISC (American
Institute of Steel Construction) states, Arrow and other side welds are of the same size unless
otherwise shown.
5.2.1.1 To avoid confusion, Bechtel drawings should be interpreted in the following manner. In the case of
fillet welds, each side of the reference line should be dimensioned. If only one side is dimensioned,
the fillet weld symbol not dimensioned is considered continuous.

5.2.1.2 For multiple weld symbols, each symbol needs to be dimensioned which applies to both sides.

All other standard elements concerning weld symbols are the same for AWS and AISC.

The latest revision of AISC is now compatible with AWS in its entirety.

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Section 5 Welding Symbols

5.3 FILLET WELDS

Dimensions (size), which are always on the same side of the reference line as the weld symbol, and always shown
to the left of the symbol. Remember, the size shown on the welding symbol is always the minimum size required.

5.3.1.1 Intermittent Welds

The length of the weld is indicated to the right of the symbol if it is not continuous. If the weld is intermittent, the
first number is the length, followed by the pitch (center-to-center distance) of the weld as shown in Figure 7.

5.3.1.2 Intermittent Fillet Welds

Intermittent fillet welds. The first number gives the weld length required, and the second number indicates the
center-to-center spacing of the welds.

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Section 5 Welding Symbols

5.3.1.3 Chain Intermittent Fillet Welds

Chain intermittent welding is shown in figure below, with fillet welds shown directly opposite each other.

5.3.1.4 Staggered Intermittent Fillet Welds

Staggered intermittent welds by using staggered symbol arrangements.

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Section 5 Welding Symbols

5.3.1.5 End Terminations

If required by actual length of the joint, the length of the increment of the welds at the end of the joint should be
increased to terminate the weld at the end of the joint.

5.3.1.6 Depth of Preparation

5.3.1.7 Effective Throat and Depth of Preparation

The effective throat may be more or less than the depth of preparation depending on the joint design and welding
process used.
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5.3.1.8 Back or Backing Symbol

The back or backing symbol when used indicates that back gouging, grinding, etc., and back welding is required.

The following pages contain the Standard Welding Symbols chart taken from AWS A2.4.

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