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1998v02 Double Sided PDF
1998v02 Double Sided PDF
O
NE OF THE OLDEST AND
MOST OFTEN REPEATED
PRINCIPLES OF WELDING
DESIGN is to “use double sided Figure 1
groove welds where possible.”
Typically applied to butt configu-
rations, double sided groove
welds like the one illustrated in
Figure 1b abound, with the dou-
ble sided V-groove detail offering
a 50% decrease in weld volume
(and an implied 50% decrease in
welding costs). Along with the
decreased quantity of weld metal
comes a corresponding decrease
in residual stress and longitudi-
nal shrinkage. Balancing the
quantity of weld metal about the
centerline of the plate can reduce
angular distortion. If it is
assumed that the probability of Figure 2
weld defects is proportional to
the volume of weld metal
deposited, reduced volume
groove weld details should also labor cost associated with mak- Steel backed joints utilize root
result in higher quality weld ing two passes will be approxi- openings to ensure fusion to the
deposits. mately twice that of the two- backing. In contrast, large root
Less residual stress, less dis- torch approach, which could openings would be inappropriate
tortion, higher quality and lower justify an investment in mecha- for a double sided groove weld
fabrication costs, all achievable nized equipment. However, no where a tightly fit detail is pre-
with the use of double sided matter how the double V groove ferred. The included angle of the
groove welds? It sounds too good is made, note that the fuel cost single V-groove with the
to be true. Unfortunately, this is will be twice that of a single V- increased opening can be
often the case. In order to Groove detail. decreased as is shown in Figure
achieve all of the preceding bene- 2a. To prohibit melt-through on
ROOT OPENINGS the double sided joint, a root face
fits, the following must be taken
& INCLUDED ANGLES dimension is typically specified.
into consideration.
The theoretical joint details In order to ensure proper root
JOINT PREPARATION COST shown in Figure 1 are atypical. pass cross sectional profiles
One bevel cut on one-half of The open root configuration of (width-to-depth ratio), a suffi-
the V-groove joint can be made either detail is usually avoided ciently large included angle is
by a single oxy-fuel cutting due to problems with burn- required. In Figure 2b, a typi-
torch. The two bevel cuts neces- through. For work done under cal double sided V-groove joint is
sary for the equivalent member the Dl.1 Structural Welding illustrated. Both examples
on the double sided joint may be Code - Steel, neither of these shown in Figure 2 are prequali-
made with either two passes of details would be prequalified. fied, but neither the root open-
the same single torch, or by one For the single V-groove weld, ings nor the included angles are
pass of a two-torch system. The steel backing would be employed. the same.