GREATER NOIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGG.

SEMINAR PRESENTATION
ON
UNDER WATER WELDING
Submitted To:
Mr. Syed Qaiser Husain

Submitted By:
Varun Yadav

INTRODUCTION

Underwater welding is an important tool for

underwater fabrication works.

In 1946, special waterproof electrodes were

developed in Holland by Vander Willingen'.

In recent years the number of offshore structures

including oil drilling rigs, pipelines, platforms are
being installed significantly.

CLASSIFICATION

Under water welding can be classified as :

i.

Wet welding

ii.

Dry welding

WET WELDING

Key technology for repairing marine structure

Welding is performed under water directly exposed to

the wet environment

Increased freedom movement makes more effective,

efficient and economical

Supply is connected to the welder/driver via cables or

hoses

Complete insulation of the cables and hoses are

essential in case to prevent the chance for electric
shock

MMA (Manual Metal Arc) welding is commonly used

process in the repair of offshore platforms.

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

The work is connected

to the positive side of
dc source and electrode
to the negative

The two parts of the

circuit are brought
together and then
slightly separated

An electric current
occurs in the gap and
causes a sustained spark
which melts the bare
metal forming a weld
pool

 The

flux covering the electrode melts to

provide a shielding gas.

Arc

burns in the cavity formed inside the flux

covering, which is designed to burn slower
than the metal barrel to the electrode

ADVANTAGES

The versatility and low cost.

Less costlier than dry welding.

Speed with which it is carried out

No enclosures so no time is lost

for building.

DISADVANTAGES

Rapid quenching of the weld metal by the

surrounding water.

Welders working under water are

restricted in manipulating arc.

Hydrogen embrittlement causes cracks.

Poor visibility due to water

contaminance.

DRY WELDING
A

chamber is created near the area to be

welded and the welder does the job by
staying inside the chamber.

It

produces high quality weld joints .

The

gas-tungsten arc welding process is

used mostly for pipe works

Gas

metal arc welding is the best process

for this welding.

CLASSIFICATION OF DRY
WELDING
There are two basic types of dry welding :
i.

Hyperbaric welding

ii.

Cavity welding

LIMITATION: As

depth increase pressure also

increases, it affects both for

driver and welding process

ADVANTAGES:

Welder/diver safety

Good quality weld

Surface monitoring

Non destructive testing

DISADVANTAGES:-

The habitat welding requires large

quantities of complex equipment
and much support equipment on the
surface

Cost is extremely high

RISKS V/S PRECAUTIONS

Risk

of electric shock so achieving electrical

insulation of electrical welding equipments
Hydrogen and oxygen are produced by the
arc in wet welding are potentially explosion
so precaution must be taken to avoid the
build up of pockets of gas
The

life or health of the welder will be in

risk from nitrogen introduce into the blood
stream, precautions include the provision of
an emergency air or gas applied

Scope of further developments

Hyper

baric welding is well established and

generally well researched.

Research

being carried out for welding at a

range of 500 to 1000m deep.

THOR-1

(Tig Hyperbaric Orbital Robot) is

developed where diver performs pipe fitting,
installs the tracks and orbital head on the pipe
and rest process is automated.

APPLICATIONS

Offshore construction for tapping sea

resources

Temporary repair work caused by ships

collisions, unexpected accidents

Salvaging vessels sunk in the sea

Repair and maintenance of ships

Construction of large ships beyond the

capacity of existing docks

THANK YOU