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How to Calculate the Weld Capacity of a Plate Welded to the Web of a Wide Flange

The most common type of weld used to join two pieces of metal is called a fillet weld. When welding a plate to the webbing of a flange you may use this type of weld. However, if stress is to be applied to the weld, you will need to know its strength or capacity for weight. You can do this by performing a mathematical calculation.

Things You'll Need

Tape measure

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the thickness of the web of the flange with a tape measure. Make a note of the measurement.
- 2
  Measure the thickness of the plate to be welded onto the flange. Compare the measurement of the web of the flange to the thickness of the plate. The size of the weld is the smaller of the two measurements. For example, if the thickness of the plate is one-quarter inch and the thickness of the web of the flange is one-eighth of an inch, use the one-eighth figure.
- 3
  Measure the length of the plate you will be welding onto the web of the flange. For example, six inches.
- 4
  Measure the throat thickness of the weld, such as one-half an inch. Make a note of this measurement.
- 5
  Convert the size of the weld, one-eighth inch in this example, to a decimal, which is 0.125. Multiply 0.125 by 6 (the length of the weld) for a result of 0.75. Multiply 0.75 by the cosine of 45, which is 0.525. You will have a result of 0.39375.
- 6
  Determine the electrode strength of the weld, such as 60 kilopounds per square inch or KSI. Multiply 60 KSI by 0.39375 and note a result of 23.625.
- 7
  Multiply 23.625 by a constant coefficient of 0.6 for a result of 14.175. Multiply the result of 14.175 by the throat thickness of the weld. The result, in this example, is a weld strength or capacity of 7.0875 KSI.

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