Equipment Quality Standards -- WELDING -- DRAFT STANDARD

Purpose – This is one of a series of documents intended to clarify minimum quality standards required by the Division of Equipment for the Caltrans vehicle fleet.

Scope – This Caltrans Division of Equipment draft standard sets forth the quality requirements for the outcome of the welding process. The standard applies to all structural welds used in the manufacture of earthmoving and construction equipment. It places no restriction on any welding process or procedure, provided the weld produced meets the qualification requirements called out in the standard.

References -

ANSI/AWS 14.3-94 "Specification for Welding Earthmoving and Construction Equipment", an American National Standard approved June 11, 1993.
ANSI/AWS D14.4-97 "Specification for Welded Joints in Machinery and Equipment", an American National Standard approved January 14, 1997.
AWS B1.11:2000 "Guide for the Visual Examination of Welds", an American National Standard approved January 7, 2000.

Terminology -

Porosity is cavity-type discontinuities formed by gas entrapment during solidification.

Piping porosity is elongated porosity whose major dimension lies in a direction approximately normal to weld surface. Frequently it is referred to as "pin holes" when the porosity extends to the weld surface.

Revision Date - May 10, 2002

Workmanship and Welding Quality Requirements

Weld design, preparation, procedures, materials, and quality shall conform to ANSI/AWS D14.3-94 and ANSI/AWS D14.4-97.

Welded joint design shall be per ANSI/AWS standards as described in referenced publications.

Although certified welders are not required, it is expected that the final weld quality will be equivalent to a weld made by a certified welder.

Table A includes common symbols used on State of California Division of Equipment Drawings. Weld drawing symbols conform to ANSI/AWS standards and weld details.

The State of California Quality Assurance Inspection will conform to the guidelines and recommendations covered in AWS publication B1.11:2000 Guide for the Visual Examination of Welds.