Welding testing is used to determine the quality of the weld seam. There are different weld inspection methods, which we will discuss in this article.
Much information can be obtained by inspecting a weld seam.
- Weld size
- Welding defects
- Surface cracks
- Uneven surface
- Slag collection and cleaning
Additionally, you can read the Welding Defects article for information about possible defects that may occur during the welding process.
The weld inspection process may include the following process.
- Evaluate the entire welding process in terms of quality control of the welding work.
- Maintain records of any identified issues and areas requiring improvements in the quality control and assurance process.
- Compare all records to standard procedures and policies and make changes as necessary.
After welding, the following can be checked.
- Condition of the welded connection and its suitability
- The welding process must meet acceptable criteria
- Evaluate the use of appropriate welding consumables
- Evaluate security requirements
Weld Inspection Methods
Weld seam testing can be performed in different ways. The main welding seam inspection methods are as follows.
- Visual inspection of welding
- Non-destructive testing of weld beads (NDT)
- Destructive Welding Test
Visual inspection of weld seams
The most common and simplest method is visual inspection of welds to evaluate weld quality and weld defects.
Upon closer inspection, some welding defects such as: B. Undercuts, plate inclusions and cracks in the weld seams can be identified.
The result of visual welding inspection depends on the inspector's knowledge and experience, as well as the welding inspection tools used.
Non-destructive testing of weld beads
As the name suggests, the weld is not damaged during testing. The methods are used to check test quality without collecting samples.
Furthermore, as already mentioned, visual inspection is also considered a non-destructive testing method for welding work.
The following test could be performed.
- Liquidity Penetration Testing
- Magnetic Particle Test
- Electromagnetic Tests
- Ultrasound examination
- Eddy current test
- Acoustic Emission Test
- Laser Test Method
- Neutron radiography test
- X-ray examination
- Thermal/infrared test
Destructive Welding Test
Weld seam destructive testing is performed on a finished weld seam. Unlike non-destructive welding, we need to inspect/test the weld.
For this reason, actual weld samples are tested.
The following types of tests are most common.
- Macro recording test
- Fillet Weld Break Test
- Transverse tensile test
- Guided bending test
- Free bend test
- Backbend Test
This method can be used to achieve the required welding quality. It is very important to ensure that the weld meets the acceptance criteria.
To maintain quality, non-destructive or destructive testing must be used.
In addition, attention should be paid to the experience and knowledge of welding inspectors. The entire process depends on the efficiency of the inspector. The inspector's judgments are crucial in this type of work.
Below are some of the articles related to steel structure design.
- Single angle design for tensile stress according to EC3
- Dimensioning of screw connections according to Eurocode 3
- Practical example of constructing a single-angle section
- Design of metallic pillars according to EC3 – worked example
- Steel column design according to Eurocode 3
- Worked example of constructing a steel beam (universal beam)
- Bending and torsion (theory and calculation)
- Steel beam construction to BS 5950
- UB section classification according to BS 5950
