Topic 3

Design Principles of Welded Structures –

Addendum

Introduction
This addendum aims to highlight some of the basic joint types as well as identify the
nomenclature used for the different welding positions.

Joint configuration and position

Several authorities have classified joint designs. The three basic joint types shown in
Figure 1 are usually classified as:

(a) Fillet

(b) Butt or Groove

(c) Lap.

Figure 1 Basic joint configurations

Various alternative configurations may be derived from these and some examples of
these are shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 Subgroups of basic joint design

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(a) Twin fillet or ‘T' butt (g) Edge flange weld

(b) Double `V' butt (h) Outside corner weld

(c) Double `U' butt (i) Edge weld

(d) Close square butt (j) Spot weld

(e) Narrow gap butt (k) Stake weld

(f) Single `V' butt with backing (I) Plug weld

Welding position
The position in which welding is carried out is also important and a descriptive or alpha-
numeric code may be used to define this. The main categories defined in a descriptive
manner are shown in the table below, together with a diagram showing the main welding
positions as defined in ISO standard ISO6947:1997, “Welds – working positions –
definitions of angles of slope and rotation”

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Term Description Symbol

Flat position Horizontal working, PA

centreline of weld vertical

Horizontal vertical position Horizontal working, welding PB

from above horizontal plane,
centreline of weld 45°
above horizontal plane

Horizontal position Horizontal working, PC

centreline of weld horizontal

Horizontal overhead position Horizontal working, PD

overhead, centreline of weld
45° below horizontal plane

Overhead position Horizontal working, PE

overhead, centreline of weld
vertical

Vertical up position Working upwards PF

Vertical down position Working downwards PG

Welding Positions from ISO6947:1997

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 Flat
PA

Horizontal vertical Horizontal vertical

PB PB

Horizontal PC Horizontal
PC

PD PD
Horizontal overhead Horizontal overhead
PE
Overhead

It should be noted that the widely used AWS terminology (“Standard Welding Terms and
Definitions”, A3.0-2001, American Welding Society) has slightly different definitions for
welding positions, and has different nomenclature from that adopted by ISO6947. The
AWS positions are listed as follows.:

(I) Flat (or downhand) 1G or 1F

(II) Horizontal 2G or 2F

(III) Vertical up or down 3G or 3F

(iv) overhead 4F or 4G

In the AWS system, F corresponds to fillet weld, and G to groove weld.

If the workpiece is rotated, the suffix R is added.

The AWS positions are illustrated in Figure 3:

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Figure 3 Typical welding positions and nomenclature

In general, the flat (1F, 1G or PA) positions are preferred since they allow easy access
for the welder in manual operations, simplify the application of automated processes and
allow the highest deposition rates to be used. These factors contribute to improved
quality and reduced operating costs. With small components, it is often possible to
manipulate the workpiece to allow welding in this position, but as the size of the
fabrication increases it may become impractical. In the case of large fixed structures
such as building frames and bridges, welding in all positions (often referred to as
positional welding) is often unavoidable.

Joint terminology
Some additional terminology is used to describe joint features as illustrated in Figure 4.

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Figure 4

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