Welding Symbols Objective

When this presentation has been completed you should be

able to recognise the differences in the international
standards for symbols and be able to break down each
element of the representation, on an engineering drawing.
 Weld Symbols on Drawings

Joints in drawings may be indicated:

• By detailed sketches, showing every dimension.

• By symbolic representation.
 Weld symbols on drawings

A method of transferring information from the design office to

the workshop is:

Please weld
here

The above information does not tell us much about the wishes of
the designer. We obviously need some sort of code which would be
understood by everyone.

Most countries have their own standards for symbols.

Some of them are AWS A2.4 & BS EN 22553 (ISO 2553)
 Weld Symbols on Drawings
Advantages of symbolic representation:
• Simple and quick plotting on the drawing.
• Does not over-burden the drawing.
• No need for additional view.
• Gives all necessary indications regarding the specific joint to be
obtained.

Disadvantages of symbolic representation:

• Used only for usual joints.
• Requires training for properly understanding of symbols.
 Weld Symbols on Drawings

The symbolic representation includes:

• An arrow line.
• A reference line.
• An elementary symbol.

The elementary symbol may be completed by:

• A supplementary symbol.
• A means of showing dimensions.
• Some complementary indications.
 Arrow Line

(BS EN ISO 22553 and AWS A2.4):

Convention of the arrow line:
• Shall touch the joint intersection.

• Shall not be parallel to the drawing.

• Shall point towards a single plate preparation (when only one

plate has preparation).
 Reference Line

(AWS A2.4)
Convention of the reference line:
Shall touch the arrow line.
Shall be parallel to the bottom of the drawing.
 Reference Line

(BS EN ISO 22553)

Convention of the reference line:
• Shall touch the arrow line.

• Shall be parallel to the bottom of the drawing.

• There shall be a further broken identification line above or

beneath the reference line (Not necessary where the weld
is symmetrical!).

or
 Elementary Welding Symbols
(BS EN ISO 22553 & AWS A2.4)
Convention of the elementary symbols:
Various categories of joints are characterised by an elementary
symbol.
The vertical line in the symbols for a fillet weld, single/double
bevel butts and a J-butt welds must always be on the left side.
Weld type Sketch Symbol

Square edge
butt weld

Single-v
butt weld
 Elementary Welding Symbols
Weld type Sketch Symbol

Single-V butt weld

with broad root
face.

Single bevel
butt weld.

Single bevel butt

weld with broad
root face.

Backing run.
 Elementary Welding Symbols
Weld type Sketch Symbol
Single-U
butt weld.

Single-J
butt weld.

Surfacing.

Fillet weld.
 Double Side Weld Symbols

(BS EN ISO 22553 & AWS A2.4)

Convention of the double side weld symbols:
Representation of welds done from both sides of the joint
intersection, touched by the arrow head.

Fillet weld Double bevel Double J

Double V Double U
 Dimensions
Convention of dimensions
In most standards the cross sectional dimensions are given to
the left side of the symbol, and all linear dimensions are give on
the right side.

BS EN ISO 22553
a = Design throat thickness.
s = Depth of Penetration, Throat thickness.
z = Leg length (min material thickness).

AWS A2.4
• In a fillet weld, the size of the weld is the leg length.
• In a butt weld, the size of the weld is based on the depth of
the joint preparation.
 Supplementary Symbols
(BS EN ISO 22553 and AWS A2.4)
Convention of supplementary symbols
Supplementary information such as welding process, weld profile,
NDT and any special instructions.
Ground flush

111
MR M

Removable Permanent Welding process

backing strip backing strip numerical BS EN

Further supplementary information, such as WPS number, or

NDT may be placed in the fish tail.
 Supplementary Symbols
(BS EN ISO 22553 & AWS A2.4)Convention of
supplementary symbols
Supplementary information such as welding process, weld
profile, NDT and any special instructions.
Toes to be ground smoothly
Site Weld (BS EN only)

Concave or Convex

Weld all round

Welding Symbols

BS EN 22553 (ISO 2553)

ISO 2553/BS EN 22553

Reference
lines
Arrow line

Other side
Arrow side

Arrow side Other side

ISO 2553/BS EN 22553

Arrow side

Arrow side
ISO 2553/BS EN 22553

Other side

Other side
ISO 2553/BS EN 22553

Both sides

Both sides
ISO 2553/BS EN 22553

a b

c d
ISO 2553/BS EN 22553

Mitre Convex

Toes
Concave shall be
blended
 ISO 2553/BS EN 22553

Field weld (site weld) Welding to be carried out

all round component
(peripheral weld)

NDT WPS

The component requires Additional information,

NDT inspection the reference document
is included in the box
ISO 2553/BS EN 22553
Peripheral Welds

z10 z8
10 8

10 8
 Fillet Welds
Fillet weld dimensions according BS EN 22553.

z8
or

z8
8

a 5 (z 8)
or
a 5 (z 8)
5

8
 ISO 2553/BS EN 22553
a = Design throat thickness.
s = Depth of Penetration, Throat
thickness.
z = Leg length(min material thickness).
a = (0.7 x z).
a4
a
z 4mm Design throat
s
z6 s6
6mm leg 6mm Actual throat
 ISO 2553/BS EN 22553
n = Number of weld elements.
l = Length of each weld element.
(e) = Distance between each weld element.

n x l (e)

Welds to be
staggered
2 x 40 (50)
111
3 x 40 (50)
Process
 Intermittent Fillet Welds
Staggered intermittent fillet weld Symbol to BS EN 22553

pitch (e) length (l)

a

z nxl (e) a nxl (e)

z nxl (e) a nxl (e)
or
 ISO 2553/BS EN 22553

All dimensions in mm

z8 3 x 80 (90)
z6 3 x 80 (90)

6
80 80 80
6

8 90 90
90

8
 Intermittent Fillet Welds
Chain intermittent fillet weld Symbol to BS EN 22553

pitch (e) length (l) a

z nxl(e) a nxl(e)
z nxl(e) a nxl(e)
or
 ISO 2553/BS EN 22553

All dimensions in mm
z5 3 x 80 (90)

z6 3 x 80 (90)

5
80 80 80
5

6 90 90 90

6
 ISO 2553/BS EN 22553
MR
M

Single-V Butt with Single-U Butt with

permanent backing strip removable backing strip

Single-V Butt flush cap Single-U Butt with sealing run

 ISO 2553/BS EN 22553

Single-bevel butt Double-bevel butt

Single-bevel butt Single-J butt

 ISO 2553/BS EN 22553

s10

10
15

Partial penetration single-V butt S indicates the depth

of penetration.
 ISO 2553/BS EN 22553

Plug weld Square Butt weld

Resistance spot weld Steep flanked

Single-V Butt

Resistance seam weld Surfacing

 ISO 2553/BS EN 22553 Butt Weld Ex

1 Welded arrow side: Single-V butt

weld with permanent backing
strip, flat weld profile.

2 Welded other side: Single-U

butt weld, flat weld profile.
 ISO 2553/BS EN 22553 Butt
Weld Ex
10
3 Welded arrow side: Single-V butt
weld depth of preparation 10 mm
Welded other side: Backing run.
(Plate thickness 15 mm.)

12
4 Welded arrow side: Single-J butt weld, 12
depth of preparation 12 mm with a 8 8
mm fillet weld superimposed. (plate
thickness 15 mm. Welded other side:
12 mm leg length fillet weld.
 ISO 2553/BS EN 22553 Compound Weld Ex

Complete the symbol drawing for the welded cruciform joint

provided below.
All welds are welded with the MIG process and fillet welds with the
MMA process.

7 10

35 20
30
15

All fillet weld leg lengths 10 mm.

 ISO 2553/BS EN 22553 Compound Weld Ex

Complete the symbol drawing for

the welded cruciform joint
z10
provided below.
All welds are welded with the 30
MAG process and fillet welds 135 / 111
with the MMA process. 20
7 10 z10

35 20
30
15
z10 a 7
35
135 / 111
15
z10 All fillet weld leg lengths 10 mm
 BS EN 22553 rules

Welds this side of joint, go on the unbroken reference line

while welds the other side of the joint, go on the broken
reference line.
Symbols with a vertical line component must be drawn with
the vertical line to the left side of the symbol.
All CSA dimensions are shown to the left of the symbol.
All linear dimensions are shown on the right of the symbol
ie number of welds, length of welds, length of any spaces.
Included angle and root opening are shown on top of the
symbol.
 BS EN 22553 rules - example
All leg lengths shall be preceded by z and throat by a or
s (in case of deep penetration welds).

z 10 3 x 50 (50)

50
50

10
AWS A2.4 Welding
Symbols
 AWS Welding Symbols

Depth of Root Opening

Bevel

1(1-1/8)
1/8
60o

Effective Groove Angle

Throat
 AWS Welding Symbols

Welding Process

GSFCAW
1(1-1/8)
1/8
60o

GMAW
GTAW
SAW
 AWS Welding Symbols

GSFCAW
1(1-1/8)

Applicable to any
single groove Single Bevel
weld
AWS Welding Symbols
Welds to be
staggered

3 – 10
SMAW
3 – 10
Process

3 3

10
 AWS Welding Symbols

3rd Operation
Sequence of
Operations 2nd Operation

1st Operation
FCAW
1(1-1/8)
1/8
60o
 AWS Welding Symbols

RT
Sequence of
Operations MT
MT
FCAW
1(1-1/8)
1/8
60o
AWS Welding Symbols
Dimensions- Leg Length

6 leg on member A
6/8

Member A 6

Member B
 Fillet Welds

Fillet weld dimensions according AWS A 2.4

8
8

5 leg on
5x8
vertical
member
5
8
 Intermittent Fillet Welds
Chain intermittent fillet weld

pitch (e) length (l)

z

z l-e
z l-e

Symbol to AWS A2.4

 Intermittent Fillet Welds
Staggered intermittent fillet weld
e/2 length (l)
pitch (e)
z

z l-e
z l-e
Symbol to AWS A2.4
 AWS A 2.4 rules
Welds on arrow side of joint go underneath the
reference line while welds the other side of the joint,
go on top of the reference line.
Symbols with a vertical line component must be
drawn with the vertical line to the left side of the
symbol.
All CSA dimensions are shown to the left of the
symbol.
All linear dimensions are shown on the right of the
symbol i.e. number of welds, length of welds, length
of any spaces.
Included angle and root opening are shown on top of
the symbol.
 AWS A 2.4 Rules-example

10 3 x 50 (70)

70

50
10
Any Questions