Effective length of Groove welds

The effective length of groove welds in butt joints is taken as the length of continuous full size
weld, but it should not be less than four times the size of the weld.
Effective area of groove weld (Figure 8.5)

The effective area of groove weld is the product of the effective throat dimension te multiplied by
the effective length of the weld. The effective throat dimension of a groove weld depends on the
minimum width of expected failure plane

Figure 8.5 Effective throat dimensions for groove welds

The effective throat thickness of a complete penetration groove weld is taken as the thickness of
the thinner part joined. The effective throat thickness of T or L joints are taken as the thickness
of the abutting part. Reinforcement which is provided to ensure full cross-sectional area is not
considered as part of the effective throat thickness.
The effective throat thickness of partial penetration joint weld is taken as the minimum
thickness of the weld metal common to the parts joined, excluding reinforcement. In unsealed
single groove welds of V, U, J and bevel types and groove welds welded from one side only, the
th
throat thickness should be at least 7/8 of the thickness of the thinner part joined. However, for
th
the purpose of stress calculation, the effective throat thickness of 5/8 thickness of the thinner
member only should be used (IS816:1969). The unwelded portion in

incomplete penetration welds welded from both sides should not be greater than 0.25 times the
thickness of the thinner part joined and should be central in the depth of the weld. In this case
th
also, a reduced effective throat thickness of 5/8 of the thickness of the thinner part should only
be used in the calculations. Groove welds used in butt joints, where the penetration is less than
those specified above, due to non-accessibility, should be considered as non-load carrying for the
purposes of design calculations.