Blodgett's Basics
Re-examining Intermittent Fillet Welds, Part II
In the first part of this discussion, we learned that intermittent fillet welds are not always the lowest cost option, nor do they always reduce distortion....
Re-examining Intermittent Fillet Welds Part 1
Intermittent fillet welds are used in some work where the loads are small. They reduce the cost of welding and also reduce distortion....
To bear or not to bear
Ships have always fascinated me. My grandfather owned 23 ships that transported limestone, salt and pulpwood on the Great Lakes. They were wooden ships,...
No Twisters or Swingers Allowed
In Part I, we examined the behavior of weldments that are subject to torsion, and learned that under such conditions, the designer should use closed sections wherever possible...
Dont Get All Twisted Up
Weldments frequently are subject to torsional loading. Unfortunately, designers often overlook such loading. Even when torsional loading is recognized,...
When weld size alone isnt enough
When designing a weldment, determining the proper weld size is important, but sometimes, this isnt enough. Load path and weld orientation can also be...
Getting the Most From Each Pound of Weld Metal
As we consider some options, three principles of weld design will be illustrated and in the process, well learn how to get the most out of each pound...
Blodgetts Basics
Editors Note: Omer W. Blodgett turns 90 on November 27, 2007. To celebrate, a few of his many friends and colleagues have taken over his customary space...
Make it stiffermake it weaker
Can it be that by making an assembly stiffer, the designer can simultaneously make it weaker? In an example from my experience, the challenge the designer...
Controlling Distortion in Design, Part 3: Distortion control moves onto the shop floor
In parts one and two of this series, we considered distortion control principles that can be implemented on the drawing board. In this final installment,...
Controlling Distortion in Design, Part 2: Distortion control continues on the drawing board
In the first part of this series, we examined five basic principles of distortion control that can be managed by the designer. Now, I will add three more...
Controlling Distortion In Design,
Distortion is a potential problem when metals are joined by arc welding processes. The intense heat of welding causes localized expansion of both the...
Codes Often Lag Practice
Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 For most of my professional career, I have had the opportunity to serve on various code committees. For example, I became a...
Don't Design with Your Heart
Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 All too often, engineers assume something must be true without analyzing the underlying principles involved. Deep down in their...
Ductility, Part 3: Factors That Inhibit Ductility
Figure 1: Picture of specimen from Welding Journal Article. In the previous parts of this series, we examined the fundamentals of ductility and shear...
