ABSTRACT
The following summary provides an overview of various requirements. For finer details of the same, refer to Appendix T of API 650 and thereafter to relevant clauses of code as referred therein.
All welds require visual inspection to ascertain contour, reinforcement, undercut, and other surface opening defects on the weld. Therefore, this needs to be carried out from both sides. Visual inspection of welds is a powerful tool to ensure the quality of the weld, and visual inspection supplemented by DPT (in specific cases) shall be used to eliminate the presence of surface opening defects. Whatever is the contour of the weld (even when weld reinforcement is within acceptable limits), it shall be free from any abrupt changes. Basically, the weld shall merge smoothly with the parent metal so that the concentration of stress at the weld edge can be minimized.
