WELDING SYMBOLS

Welding symbols, like sign post's are informational directors. They are placed on
drawings by Welding engineers and their purpose is to relay information to the weld
operator. In many instance's the information relayed is very simple.
Occasionally it is necessary for the engineer to relay complicated information.
Therefore it is important that weld operators understand the symbols and are capable
of interpreting the needs of the engineer.
For the most part weld symbols are standard throughout the world, although there are
symbols that are devised and used only by the company that devised them.

Figure 1 shows the various elements of a Weld symbol and looks very busy. Let's
break down the elements .

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When we put the above elements together we see the result in fig. 7. The finished
symbol instructs the weld operator to deposit a 1/4" fillet weld both sides of the joint
and that the preferred welding rod will be a E7018.

Figure 8 looks very similar but in this case the symbol informs the weld operator that
this is a stitch weld . The first Dimension indicates that each weld deposit is to be 3" in
length. The second dimension refers to the center to center spacing requirement of
each stitch. So in this case the weld operator is required to deposit a series of 3"
weld's with a 3" space between each deposit ( see fig 9 ).

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Supplementary symbols are often added to the weld symbol. A supplementary symbol
usually refers to pre - weld preparation or post weld finishing. fig 9 is an example of pre
- weld preparation.

The symbol shown in figure 10 indicates that the vertical component requires beveling
prior to assembly. The remainder of the symbol indicates that a 1/4" fillet is required to
complete the weld. This symbol would usually be accompanied with additional notes
and instruction. The additional notes would probably reference a specific weld
procedure, which would indicate the number and sequence of multiple passes required
to complete the finished weld.

The following illustrations show simple weld symbols and the resulting application.

Butt Welds

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Groove Joints

Lap Joints

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 Tee Joints

Fillet Welds

The fillet weld (pronounced "FILL-it," not "fil-LAY") is used to make lap joints, corner
joints, and T joints. As its symbol suggests, the fillet weld is roughly triangular in
cross-section, although its shape is not always a right triangle or an isosceles triangle.
Weld metal is deposited in a corner formed by the fit-up of the two members,
penetrates, and fuses with the base metal to form the joint.

The perpendicular leg of the triangle is always drawn on the left side of the symbol,
regardless of the orientation of the weld itself. The leg size is written to the left of the
weld symbol. If the two legs of the weld are to be the same size, only one dimension is
given; if the weld is to have unequal legs (much less common than the equal-legged

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weld), both dimensions are given and there is an indication on the drawing as to which
leg is longer.

The length of the weld is given to the right of the symbol.

If no length is given, then the weld is to be placed between specified dimension lines (if
given) or between those points where an abrupt change in the weld direction would
occur (like at the end of the plates in the example above).
For intermittent welds, the length of each portion of the weld and the spacing of the
welds are separated by a dash (length first, spacing second) and placed to the right of
the fillet weld symbol.

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Notice that the spacing, or pitch, is not the clear space between the welds, but the
center-to-center (or end-to-end) distance.

Groove Welds

The groove weld is commonly used to make edge-to-edge joints, although it is also
often used in corner joints, T joints, and joints between curved and flat pieces. As
suggested by the variety of groove weld symbols, there are many ways to make a
groove weld, the differences depending primarily on the geometry of the parts to be
joined and the preparation of their edges. Weld metal is deposited within the groove,
penetrates, and fuses with the base metal to form the joint.
The various types of groove weld are:

The square groove weld, in which the "groove" is created by either a tight fit or a slight
separation of the edges. The amount of separation, if any, is given on the weld symbol.

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The V-groove weld, in which the edges of both pieces are chamfered, either singly or
doubly, to create the groove. The angle of the V is given on the weld symbol, as is the
separation at the root (if any).

If the depth of the V is not the full thickness--or half the thickness in the case of a
double V--the depth is given to the left of the weld symbol.

If the penetration of the weld is to be greater than the depth of the groove, the depth of
the effective throat is given in parentheses after the depth of the V.

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The bevel groove weld, in which the edge of one of the pieces is chamfered and the
other is left square. The bevel symbol's perpendicular line is always drawn on the left
side, regardless of the orientation of the weld itself. The arrow points toward the piece
that is to be chamfered. This extra significance is emphasized by a break in the arrow
line. (The break is not necessary if the designer has no preference as to which piece
gets the edge treatment or if the piece to receive the treatment should be obvious to a
qualified welder.) Angle and depth of edge treatment, effective throat, and separation at
the root are described using the methods discussed in the V-groove section.

The U-groove weld, in which the edges of both pieces are given a concave treatment.
Depth of edge treatment, effective throat, and separation at the root are described
using the methods discussed in the V-groove section.

The J-groove weld, in which the edge of one of the pieces is given a concave treatment
and the other is left square. It is to the U-groove weld what the bevel groove weld is to
the V-groove weld. As with the bevel, the perpendicular line is always drawn on the left
side and the arrow (with a break, if necessary) points to the piece that receives the
edge treatment. Depth of edge treatment, effective throat, and separation at the root are
described using the methods discussed in the V-groove section.

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Common supplementary symbols used with groove welds are the melt-thru and
backing bar symbols. Both symbols indicate that complete joint penetration is to be
made with a single-sided groove weld. In the case of melt-thru, the root is to be
reinforced with weld metal on the back side of the joint. The height of the
reinforcement, if critical, is indicated to the left of the melt-thru symbol, which is placed
across the reference line from the basic weld symbol.

Plug and Slot Welds

Plug welds and slot welds are used join overlapping members, one of which has holes
(round for plug welds, elongated for slot welds) in it. Weld metal is deposited in the
holes and penetrates and fuses with the base metal of the two members to form the
joint. (Note: for the sake of graphical clarity, the drawings below do not show the
penetration of the weld metal. Recognize, however, that the degree of penetration is
important in determining the quality of the weld.)
For plug welds, the diameter of each plug is given to the left of the symbol and the
plug-to-plug spacing (pitch) is given to the right. For slot welds, the width of each slot
is given to the left of the symbol, the length and pitch (separated by a dash) are given
to the right of the symbol, and a detail drawing is referenced in the tail. The number of
plugs or slots is given in parentheses above or below the weld symbol. The arrow-side

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and other-side designations indicate which piece contains the hole(s). If the hole is not
to be completely filled with weld metal, the depth to which it is to be filled is given
within the weld symbol.

WATCH WELDING SYMBOL PRESENTATION

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 Groove Welds

The groove weld is commonly used to make edge-to-edge joints, although it is also often
used in corner joints, T joints, and joints between curved and flat pieces. As suggested by
the variety of groove weld symbols, there are many ways to make a groove weld, the
differences depending primarily on the geometry of the parts to be joined and the
preparation of their edges. Weld metal is deposited within the groove and penetrates and
fuses with the base metal to form the joint. (Note: for the sake of graphical clarity, the
drawings below generally do not show the penetration of the weld metal. Recognize,
however, that the degree of penetration is important in determining the quality of the
weld.)

The various types of groove weld are:

The square groove weld, in which the "groove" is created by either a tight fit or a slight
separation of the edges. The amount of separation, if any, is given on the weld symbol.

The V-groove weld, in which the edges of both pieces are chamfered, either singly or
doubly, to create the groove. The angle of the V is given on the weld symbol, as is the
separation at the root (if any).

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If the depth of the V is not the full thickness--or half the thickness in the case of a double
V--the depth is given to the left of the weld symbol.

If the penetration of the weld is to be greater than the depth of the groove, the depth of
the effective throat is given in parentheses after the depth of the V.

The bevel groove weld, in which the edge of one of the pieces is chamfered and the other
is left square. The bevel symbol's perpendicular line is always drawn on the left side,
regardless of the orientation of the weld itself. The arrow points toward the piece that is
to be chamfered. This extra significance is emphasized by a break in the arrow line. (The
break is not necessary if the designer has no preference as to which piece gets the edge

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treatment or if the piece to receive the treatment should be obvious to a qualified welder.)
Angle and depth of edge treatment, effective throat, and separation at the root are
described using the methods discussed in the V-groove section.

The U-groove weld, in which the edges of both pieces are given a concave treatment.
Depth of edge treatment, effective throat, and separation at the root are described using
the methods discussed in the V-groove section.

The J-groove weld, in which the edge of one of the pieces is given a concave treatment
and the other is left square. It is to the U-groove weld what the bevel groove weld is to
the V-groove weld. As with the bevel, the perpendicular line is always drawn on the left
side and the arrow (with a break, if necessary) points to the piece that receives the edge
treatment. Depth of edge treatment, effective throat, and separation at the root are
described using the methods discussed in the V-groove section.

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The flare-V groove weld, commonly used to join two round or curved parts. The
intended depth of the weld itself are given to the left of the symbol, with the weld depth
shown in parentheses.

The flare bevel groove weld, commonly used to join a round or curved piece to a flat
piece. As with the flare-V, the depth of the groove formed by the two curved surfaces and
the intended depth of the weld itself are given to the left of the symbol, with the weld
depth shown in parentheses. The symbol's perpendicular line is always drawn on the left
side, regardless of the orientation of the weld itself.

Common supplementary symbols used with groove welds are the melt-thru and backing
bar symbols. Both symbols indicate that complete joint penetration is to be made with a
single-sided groove weld. In the case of melt-thru, the root is to be reinforced with weld
metal on the back side of the joint. The height of the reinforcement, if critical, is
indicated to the left of the melt-thru symbol, which is placed across the reference line
from the basic weld symbol.

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When a backing bar is used to achieve complete joint penetration, its symbol is placed
across the reference line from the basic weld symbol. If the bar is to be removed after the
weld is complete, an "R" is placed within the backing bar symbol. The backing bar
symbol has the same shape as the plug or slot weld symbol, but context should always
make the symbol's intention clear.

Plug and Slot Welds

Plug welds and slot welds are used join overlapping members, one of which has holes
(round for plug welds, elongated for slot welds) in it. Weld metal is deposited in the holes
and penetrates and fuses with the base metal of the two members to form the joint. (Note:
for the sake of graphical clarity, the drawings below do not show the penetration of the
weld metal. Recognize, however, that the degree of penetration is important in
determining the quality of the weld.)

For plug welds, the diameter of each plug is given to the left of the symbol and the plug-
to-plug spacing (pitch) is given to the right. For slot welds, the width of each slot is given
to the left of the symbol, the length and pitch (separated by a dash) are given to the right
of the symbol, and a detail drawing is referenced in the tail. The number of plugs or slots

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is given in parentheses above or below the weld symbol. The arrow-side and other-side
designations indicate which piece contains the hole(s). If the hole is not to be completely
filled with weld metal, the depth to which it is to be filled is given within the weld
symbol.

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