Galvanized, tubular steel pole projects have long been known to have a susceptibility for the discovery of post galvanizing weld toe cracking in the fracture critical flange/ase plate to pole shaft welds. Dating back to the early 1970's, numerous technical papers have been written and presented on this critical structural reliability issue. So why haven't we been able to "cure" or eradicate this critical weld cracking issue? Or can we, but the collective will power is not in place to enforce the welding "health regimens" that are known to ensure this type cracking doesn't occur in the first place? This paper/presentation will first review and summarize the several factors that have been shown to cumulatively contribute to the occurrence of post galvanizing "toe cracking" in these type welded joints in tubular steel poles. And secondly, the paper/presentation will discuss the merits of our industry in continuing to rely on programs for repairing these cracks as they are found post galvanizing - a "first aid" approach, instead of requiring diligent manufacturing quality programs and robust manufacturing procedures that serve to prevent them in the first place.
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