Is 100% UT or RT required to full penetration weld? 2

[tmgczb]

It is mentioned in our project specification that all full penetration weld used in shop splice connection shall be inspected by 100% UT or RT.But I didn't find any support provisions in AWS D1.1.

 

[dauwerda]

Is UT applicable to T joint weld as the above picture？It is said that PT is widely used in T joint weld between column flange and base plate.

Yes UT is applicable.

I might add that while UT can be performed, you may not obtain useful information unless it is performed by a truly competent and experienced examiner using the proper methods of UT.

Wouldn't this be true for any joint configuration?

tmgczb, I am not an expert in UT but I know the fabricator I work with performs this type of UT inspection everyday.

 

[tmgczb]

What about beam to column groove weld? UT applicable or not? The weld between beam flange and column flange is also T joint.

 

[weldstan]

dauwerda; butt welds are easily examined by UT, but not fillet welds and corner/tee welds with reinforcing fillets. I have often seen reject rates plummet when using UT on butt welds compared to that of RT.

We had problems with a manufacturer of cranes whose UT of Tee joints were all acceptable; however, some welds were found cracked upon receipt at the job site. I hired a well-respected Level III and he was able to find cracks and other linear flaws in welds made at the involved fabricator. Whenever I absolutely required UT to be performed because of the service conditions, I would make mock ups with flaws to be examined by prospective Level III or equivalent examiners. He/she who found the flaws was hired to perform the work.

 

[MintJulep]

AWS requirements can be called out for a bridge, a train, a building, a highway sign, a sculpture, or a billion other application.

They can be called out for things that are built once, or thousands of times.

They can be call out for things that have huge safety factors applied, or things that must be be as light as possible while remaining safe for infinite life or a know number of cycles.

They can be called out for things that have tragic consequences if they fail, or things where failure is a minor inconvenience.

The good people who write the AWS requirements (including friends and colleagues of mine) do not know what your application is.

Because they do not know what your application is, they wrote the requirements so that then can be applied to any application.

Applied by knowledgeable engineers that understand their application and the implications of their decisions.

When applied by non-knowledgeable engineers the consequences can range from tragic to unnecessary cost.

Codes and standards are not a substitute for engineering.

 

[r6155]

I saw 3m long beams made in two sections with full penetration welds and 0% NDE. Why not in a section?
I required (as inspector) 100% UT/RT. The evaluation was according to ASME VIII Div. 1
This was not a reputable fabricator.

Regards

 

[DekDee]

I don't know how to do the "quote" option so copy and paste.

Doesn't matter what D1.1 says....if the person paying wants it, they get it.

david339933 nailed it - better you stop wasting time looking for an "out" based on the code and comply with the project specification.
That overrules the code anyway.

I have spent the past 12 years on structural projects in S/E Asia for Australian clients and there are numerous references to 100% NDT of splices in the AS codes.
I didn't mention anything as you noted AWS D1.1

 

[tmgczb]

Kindly please mention something.

 

[DekDee]

AWS D1.1 2015
Clause 2: Design of Welded Connections
Table 2.5 : Fatigue Stress Design Parameters
Section 5: Welded Joints transverse to direction of stress
5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.6, 5.7 & 5.8 show a variety of splices and they are all Stress Category B or C

2.19 Inspection
Fatigue categories B and C require that the Engineer ensure
that CJP groove welds subject to cyclic transverse
applied stress into the tensile range be inspected using
Radiographic Testing (RT) or Ultrasonic Testing (UT).

 

[r6155]

Inspection during manufacturing is the key.
Most welding productions require daily inspections prior to UT or RT. Preheating before welding is rarely done when the buyer's inspector is away.
I found (several times) personnel not qualified as welder.

Regards