AWS AWS Joint Design & Preparation 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When two plates of unequal thickness are joined in a butt joint under cyclic (fatigue) loading, AWS recommends tapering the thicker member. What is the maximum allowable taper slope per AWS D1.1?
- 1 in 2-1/2 (approximately 22°)
- 1 in 5 (approximately 11°) (Correct answer)
- 1 in 10 (approximately 6°)
- 1 in 1 (45°)
Correct answer: 1 in 5 (approximately 11°)
AWS D1.1 limits the transition taper to a slope of 1 in 2-1/2 for static loading and 1 in 5 for cyclically loaded structures to minimize stress concentration.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of specifying a root face (land) in a groove weld joint design?
- To provide a surface that resists burn-through and helps control root pass penetration (Correct answer)
- To increase the total volume of weld metal required
- To eliminate the need for filler metal at the root
- To allow higher amperage settings in the welding procedure
Correct answer: To provide a surface that resists burn-through and helps control root pass penetration
The root face (land) provides a small area of base metal at the groove root that helps prevent burn-through while controlling penetration depth.
Question 3: A welder is preparing a double-V groove joint. Which advantage does this joint design offer over a single-V groove for the same plate thickness?
- It reduces the total weld metal volume and minimizes angular distortion (Correct answer)
- It eliminates any need for a root opening
- It allows welding without filler metal
- It increases the required preheat temperature
Correct answer: It reduces the total weld metal volume and minimizes angular distortion
A double-V groove uses roughly half the weld metal of a single-V and provides symmetric deposition that counteracts angular distortion.
Question 4: In groove weld joint design, what does 'CJP' stand for and what does it require?
- Complete Joint Penetration — the weld must fuse through the entire thickness of the joint (Correct answer)
- Controlled Joint Preparation — the groove angle must be held to ±2°
- Combined Joint Profile — both sides must be grooved identically
- Continuous Joint Pass — the root and fill passes cannot be interrupted
Correct answer: Complete Joint Penetration — the weld must fuse through the entire thickness of the joint
CJP (Complete Joint Penetration) means the weld metal extends through the full thickness of the base metal, providing maximum joint strength.
Question 5: Which of the following groove angles is within the prequalified range for a single-V groove butt joint per AWS D1.1 when welding with SMAW?
- 60° included angle (Correct answer)
- 20° included angle
- 10° included angle
- 5° included angle
Correct answer: 60° included angle
AWS D1.1 prequalified single-V groove joints require a minimum included angle of 60° for SMAW to ensure adequate access for the electrode.
Question 6: When designing a corner joint for sheet metal, which configuration produces the least distortion?
- Closed corner joint with an outside fillet weld
- Open corner joint with a flush-face groove weld
- Flanged corner joint with no additional weld metal (Correct answer)
- Miter corner joint with a full-penetration groove weld
Correct answer: Flanged corner joint with no additional weld metal
A flanged corner (edge) joint formed by bending the sheet metal requires little to no added weld metal, minimizing heat input and distortion.
Question 7: What term describes the angular deviation from the specified dihedral angle of a fillet weld leg, and what is the AWS D1.1 maximum allowable convexity for a fillet weld with a 5/16-inch leg?
- Convexity; 1/16 inch maximum (Correct answer)
- Undercut; 1/32 inch maximum
- Overlap; 3/32 inch maximum
- Reinforcement; 1/8 inch maximum
Correct answer: Convexity; 1/16 inch maximum
AWS D1.1 Table 8.1 limits fillet weld convexity to 1/16 inch for welds with legs up to 5/16 inch to prevent stress concentration at the weld toes.
AWS AWS Joint Design & Preparation 5
When two plates of unequal thickness are joined in a butt joint under cyclic (fatigue) loading, AWS recommends tapering the thicker member.
What is the maximum allowable taper slope per AWS D1.1?