Structural Industry
The structural industry has been the earliest user of electric arc welding since the 1920s. Its use has increased steadily since the Second World War. Now it is one of the leading methods of fabrication and welding works. It is a significant share of the total structural industry as against all the other ways.
Welding is a process of combining metals and is useful whenever strength is required. The structural engineers need knowledge of welding processes as they design structural frames that require field welding, especially during assembling operations. While preparing for their certification exam, the professional structural engineers need technical knowledge regarding various welding procedures.
Functions of structural welders
Structural welders create a metal framework for buildings as well as bridges. They also cut and repair beams, girders, and columns. While working for construction companies, manufacturers, oil and gas companies, mining companies, shipbuilders, and aerospace industries, these welders work on the structural engineers’ designs. They take care that no weld is lost, and the structure is strong enough to hold or support the kind of construction that is going to take place over it.
Importance of the weld quality in structure
The weld quality is essential in structure. A good weld’s quality assurance is crucial because the low quality of weld will lead to breakage or leakage in the structure. The consequences of a failure in the weld can begin from a small inconvenience such as a bathroom or kitchen pipe bursting to a more severe and dangerous consequence like structure failure of a gas pipeline or oil rig, or a bridge. This failure of structure can even lead to loss of lives.
Weld Monitoring in Structure
A poor weld may prove to be disastrous in case of structural failure. Therefore structural engineers and structure welders are now seeking the aid of highly innovative weld monitoring technologies. They use welding control equipment, weld monitors, weld counter, welding arc timer, sensory arc timer, and weld data monitoring to keep control over the process of welding while enhancing the structural strength of the members by keeping the joints in place. They are thereby saving any dangerous consequences of a loose joint.
