An Investigation of the Reliability of Prequalified Fillet Welding Precedures for Welded Steel Bridges

摘要

The original purpose of this report was to test the reliability and validity of the common assumption that prequalified fillet weld procedures will assure production fillet welds of uniform and good quality. In addition the report includes a discussion of the apparent non-ductile fractures in the structural steel involved. Welded specimens removed from members of a flood damaged bridge were examined by routine welding procedure testing methods and for general compliance with specifications. Tables of defects found and illustrations of specimens are presented and discussed. Conclusions and suggestions for improvement of inspection processes are included. The fillet welds from which the specimens were taken were of such poor quality that testing the assumptions regarding prequalified and specially qualified welding procedures was not possible in this report. The cause of the problem was inspection during welding and fabrication of the members. (Author)