ENGINEERING CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH WELDING FIELD REPAIRS

Abstract

Welding as a technology exists in two worlds. Manufacturers execute designs typically based on professional society-backed standards. Repair service centers that administer field repairs where welding applications are required can sometimes have staff members with little formal education.The challenges of a technical manager seeking welded field repairs to equipment are significant and numerous. This chapter will seek to outline the process of executing a successful welding field repair by breaking down the analysis into three parts: (1) the iden-tification of the engineering challenges associated with a specific job, including significant stresses, difficult ma-terials or locations, and adequate piece preparation to ensure of weld integrity; (2) the ability to properly specify the type of repair, including knowledge of the types of weld junctions and preparations, the various types of welding processes and their features, weld types and associated drawing symbols, and the repair design and re-pair support process; and (3) the challenges for field engineers and technical managers in identifying weld de-fects, executing measures, and providing adequate examination and evaluation of weld quality in the field.This chapter tries to bridge the gap between the formal, engineered welds used in manufacturing and the sometimes needed expediency of fieldwork.