BS 5950-1:2000 Section 6

a) Welds subject to longitudinal shear b) Welds subject to transverse forces

c) Resultant transverse force on weld

Figure 31 — Fillet welds — Directional method

6.9 Design of butt welds

6.9.1 Design strength
All full penetration butt welds and partial penetration butt welds should be made using matching
electrodes or other welding consumables. A matching electrode should have a specified minimum tensile
strength, yield strength, elongation at failure and Charpy impact value each equivalent to, or better than,
those specified for the parent metal. Provided that a matching electrode is used, the design strength of a
butt weld should be taken as equal to that of the parent metal.
6.9.2 Throat size of partial penetration butt welds
The throat size of a single-sided partial penetration butt weld, see Figure 32a) and Figure 32c), or the size
of each throat of a double-sided partial penetration butt weld, see Figure 32b) and Figure 32d), should be
taken as equal to the minimum depth of penetration from that side of the weld.
The minimum throat size of a longitudinal partial penetration butt weld should be 2 t where t is the
thickness (in mm) of the thinner part joined, unless a larger throat size is needed to resist the applied
forces.
6.9.3 Capacity of partial penetration butt welds
Single-sided partial penetration butt welds that are asymmetric relative to the parts joined should not be
used to resist tension or compression, unless the connection is suitably restrained against rotation. In
calculating the stress in the weld, the resulting eccentricity should be taken into account.

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