Blueprint Reading & Interpretation Flashcards
7 cards from real AWS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Blueprint Reading & Interpretation flashcards as text
What does a 'phantom line' (alternating long dash, short dash, short dash) indicate on a blueprint?
Answer: An alternate position of a moving part or a repeated feature
Phantom lines show alternate positions of movable parts, repeated details, or the outline of adjacent parts for reference purposes.
In AWS welding symbol notation, where is the weld process or specification listed?
Answer: In the tail of the welding symbol
The tail of the welding symbol (the forked end opposite the arrow) is used to note the welding process, procedure specification, or other supplementary information.
On a structural steel drawing, what does 'W8×31' designate?
Answer: A wide-flange beam, 8 inches nominal depth, 31 pounds per foot
W8×31 designates a wide-flange (W-shape) structural steel section with a nominal depth of 8 inches and a weight of 31 pounds per linear foot.
What is indicated by a 'break line' on a blueprint?
Answer: That a long uniform part has been shortened to fit on the drawing
Break lines indicate that a portion of the object has been omitted so a long or large part can be shown at a larger scale on the available drawing space.
On a blueprint, what does 'SMAW' in the tail of a welding symbol specify?
Answer: Shielded Metal Arc Welding process
SMAW in the tail specifies that the Shielded Metal Arc Welding process (stick welding) is to be used for that weld.
What does 'NTS' written next to a feature on a blueprint mean?
Answer: Not to scale — the feature is not drawn proportionally
NTS means 'Not to Scale,' indicating that the drawn feature may be enlarged or distorted for clarity and should not be measured directly from the drawing.
In a groove weld symbol, what does the root opening dimension specify?
Answer: The gap between the base metal pieces at the root of the joint before welding
The root opening is the separation distance between the base metal pieces at the bottom of the groove before welding begins, which affects penetration and fusion.