Helpful Welding Articles

Managing a Coronavirus-Related Project Shutdown

Revised from NSPE, Edited by Dr. Jesse A. Grantham, PE, Principal - Forensic Expert

When a hurricane or other disaster forces the closing of a jobsite, owners and contractors can be reasonably assured that, barring severe physical property damage, everyone will be back to work in a short while.

However, the Coronavirus pandemic has led contractors, material suppliers and industry vendors into uncharted waters. Construction companies, for example, in Boston, Cambridge and Somerville Massachusetts and to some degree, Pennsylvania, San Francisco, Austin TX and Travis County, TX, either are unsure about which projects must be closed or are looking at the duration of a moratorium. Consider that: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday morning announced that construction is "nonessential" work, effectively shutting down most projects statewide.

The New Normal: 8 Ways the Coronavirus Crisis Changed Welding Workplaces.

Revised from NSPE, Edited by Dr. Jesse A. Grantham, PE, Principal - Forensic Expert

U.S. jobsites are reopening but the industry will not be the same as it was before the COVID-19 outbreak.

In the span of two months, the coronavirus crisis has demanded sweeping changes from the U.S. construction industry, and experts say many of them will remain in place even after the outbreak recedes.

As contractors prepare to return to work on sites that have been shut down by shelter-in-place initiatives, they will face an industry that drastically changed by the both public health and economic effects of the pandemic.

There are new factors coming into play now that you or I never thought about. People need to plan now to be prepared for the long term.

How Much Does a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) Make?

What is a CWI?

Certified welding inspectors work in various industries related to construction. Furthermore, certified welding inspectors’ daily duties are filled with numerous responsibilities that are essential in maintaining the safety standards of in the construction industry. On the job site, certified welding inspectors ensure that all related construction activities follow specific guidelines, in accordance with city, state, and federal safety regulations. They also inspect plans, verify inspection and welding calibrations, and make sure that all welding materials are in proper condition for future projects. Additionally, welding inspectors inspect all welding equipment, such as regulators, cables, and welding machines.

During the construction phase, welding inspectors are responsible for monitoring heating values, ensuring the proper temperature controls are being used, and verifying that individuals maintain all compliance issues.

Educating Welders about Quality Welds

Welders are under enormous pressure to produce quality, lasting welds. During my life, I welded, supervised welders, engineered welds and inspected welds in many industries. Some welds were acceptable and some welds were rejected. It is important to note these terms, “accept and reject”. Every person (company and personal) involved in the welding operation needs to perform their assigned duties (design, materials, processes, and compliance). When there is a weakness in any one of these functions, the “welder” gets blamed for a bad weld.“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. This is also true for welds.

Weld Failures - Part III

by, Dr. Jesse A. Grantham, Forensic Welding Engineer

Part 3. Forensic Welding Engineer

Weld failures are the result of mechanical effects and thermal effects.

Features associated with weld failures are cracks, micro-fissures, lack of ductility, non-metallic inclusions, laminations, brittle heat affected zones, degradation of micro-alloying elements, grain boundary precipitation of micro-alloy elements, hydrogen dissipation, cold-forming stresses, and fatigue stresses.