Excessive wind on a weld 1

[WDorey]

What MPH would you require shelter or blocks? I want to very specific to my contractors on what the requirments are. With the code being very vague(excessive winds)there is an argument factor left open.

 

[TBP]

I'd bet that'll be tough to define and enforce. You can spec the MPH, but who actually measures it? What if it's variable or gusty? I suspect that's why it's not spelled out specifically in the code. You can, of course, spec all kinds of requirements, but expect the contractor to invoice accordingly. If it costs him, it'll cost you.

 

[jte]

In my experience, if its that windy the welders have already built hooches to keep warm! The problem we have is in making sure one side is open or the lower 18" (I think...) is open on all four sides. Otherwise it becomes an enclosed space and we'd have to sniff it and permit it accordingly.

jt

 

[eyec]

i assume you are talking about welding in the open atmosphere and not inside any structures.

given that assumption a simple 4 walled enclosure of plastic sheeting or fire blanket leaving the top open would be the easiest way to prevent wind problems; also assuming that the welders are working either at ground level or off a platform.

as for your contract specifics, use the local weather forecast info & state that when the wind speed exceeds nMPH this sort of enclosure must be used.

as stated previously, the welders would probably already have such an enclosure built to keep warm and make the weld easier; besides most welders have the same concern you do - a good weld.

 

[eyec]

one final note - if welding in the outside elements, considerations for preheat would be appropriate.

 

[deanc]

After a number of projects in windy Wyoming it was found that 2 things were needed.

1.Lots of P-5

2.Rocks for your pockets to help hold you down.

The welders should be able to tell you. Ask them.

 

[NewfieEng]

I had some problems on a job a few weeks ago where we were down to the end and we just needed to x-ray and bolt up when 3 out of 12 of the welds failed in one section of pipe!!!! It was mostly likely due to wind the day before. We had to cut weld and reshoot the welds and that caried the project over to the next day, which meant more Demoilizing and Mobilizing and renting a crane for a second day..... Not to mention pushing our start up a day ahead.

The cost was much more that it would have been to pay the welder to put up some wind guards.

From now on I plan have the welders put up guards even if it is not that windy. Like the old saying goes "better safe than sorry".

 

[GRoberts]

AWS D1.1 Paragraph 5.12.1 specifies sheltering from the wind such that the maximum wind velocity near the weld is 5mph.

 

[PAN]

WDorey,
The welding process should be a factor of your concern. There should be more wind effect for GTAW (compare with SMAW).

 

[metengr]

The web site below contains an attached file titled “Fabricator’s and Erector’s Guide to Steel Fabrication. Probably one of the better technical articles that provides an overview of various welding processes, preparation, and joint design for field erection of welded structures, a must read. What caught my attention was the reference to wind conditions for FCAW with CO2 shielding gas. The 5mph wind restriction was based on actual test data showing a reduction in weld metal elongation and a reduction in CVN impact energy, see the graphs on page 13.

http://www.jflf.org/pdfs/papers/fabguide.pdf