So, you want to be a CWI—Part IV

Editor’s note: This article is accompanied by many images of symbols, which can be viewed in the slideshow. A test also is included at the end of the article.

This part of the series is extremely important, because joints and symbols usually are found in more than one section of the certified welding inspector test. Anyone who is not familiar with weld symbols will be confused at first. This is an attempt to remove the confusion.

When the symbol is on both sides of the reference line (Figure 7), the weld is to be made on both sides of the joint.

One thing that you must remember is that there is no such thing as a butt weld. There are several butt joints, but no butt welds!

Square-groove welds, single-V-groove welds, double-V-groove welds, single-J-groove welds, double-J-groove welds, U-groove welds, double-U-groove welds, single-bevel-groove welds, and double-bevel-groove welds all are considered butt joints.

Figures 8-10 all are square-groove joints. The one in Figure 10 usually calls for a fillet weld, but as we will see next, there are many different T-joints.

Note that the straight line on the symbol always is shown to the left of the symbol.

If you take a look at some of the symbols, you can see where the test preparer is coming from. It is easy to see the pipe-to-plate weld area in Figure 16 (see slideshow). The semicircle refers to the pipe.

The symbol for a double-V-groove weld is shown in Figure 17 (see slideshow). The double-bevel groove has a K on the symbol and the plate (Figure 18).

Note that the weld size always goes to the left of the symbol no matter which side of the joint the symbol is displayed on. Again, the straight line always is shown on the left sideof the symbol, and the reference is always horizontal.

Fillet Welds and Other Strange Ones

The symbols for fillet welds and others that are not as common are seen in Figures 20-26 in the slideshow. They define the proper weld for the joint.

The symbols in Figures 27-29 are incorrect, because one cannot see through the metal.

More Difficult Joints and Symbols for Fillet Welds

The symbols shown in Figures 30–32 in the slideshow show “weld distance” and “pitch distance.” The pitch distance indicates the center to center of the weld.

Figures 33–36 show additional symbols for difficult joints and fillet welds. The process for welding is shown in the tail for these welds.

The process should be shown in the tail for these welds.

Many other weld symbol configurations may accompany the design drawings or detail drawings. ISO symbols and nondestructive symbols are not included in this article. You should acquaint yourself with these variations.

Answer key: 1) c; 2) c; 3) c; 4) c; 5) c; 6) b; 7) a; 8) c; 9) b; 10) c