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    APPROVAL TESTING of WELDERS

    Rule NoteNR 476 DTM R00 E

    November 2001

    17 bis, Place des Reflets La Dfense 2 92400 CourbevoiePostal Address : 92077 Paris La Dfense Cedex

    Tel. 33 (0) 1 42 91 52 91 Fax. 33 (0) 1 42 91 53 20Email : [email protected]

    Web : http://www.veristar.com

    mailto:[email protected]://www.veristar.com/http://www.veristar.com/mailto:[email protected]
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    MARINE DIVISION GENERAL CONDITIONS

    BV Mod. Ad. ME 545 h - 06/2000

    ARTICLE 1

    1.1. - BUREAU VERITAS is a Society the purpose of whose Marine Division (theSociety) is the classification ( Classification ) of any ship or vessel or structure of anytype or part of it or system therein collectively hereinafter referred to as a Unit whetherlinked to shore, river bed or sea bed or not, whether operated or located at sea or ininland waters or partly on land, including submarines, hovercrafts, drilling rigs, offshoreinstallations of any type and of any purpose, their related and ancillary equipment, subseaor not, such as well head and pipelines, mooring legs and mooring points or otherwise asdecided by the Society.The Society: prepares and publishes Rules for classification, Guidance Notes and other

    documents ( Rules );

    issues Certificates, Attestations and Reports following its interventions( Certificates );

    publishes Registers.

    1.2. - The Society also participates in the application of National and International

    Regulations or Standards, in particular by delegation from different Governments. Thoseactivities are hereafter collectively referred to as Certification .

    1.3. - The Society can also provide services related to Classification and Certificationsuch as ship and company safety management certification; training activities; allactivities and duties incidental thereto such as documentation on any supporting means,software, instrumentation, measurements, tests and trials on board.

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    ARTICLE 2

    2.1. - Classification is the appraisement given by the Society for its Client, at a certain

    date, following surveys by its Surveyors along the lines specified in Articles 3 and 4hereafter on the level of compliance of a Unit to its Rules or part of them. Thisappraisement is represented by a class entered on the Certificates and periodicallytranscribed in the Societys Register.

    2.2. - Certification is carried out by the Society along the same lines as set out in Articles

    3 and 4 hereafter and with reference to the applicable National and InternationalRegulations or Standards.

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    surveys, to present the Unit for surveys and to inform the Society without delay ofcircumstances which may affect the given appraisement or cause to modify its

    scope.

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    performance of the requested Services.

    ARTICLE 3

    3.1. - The Rules, procedures and instructions of the Society take into a ccount at the

    date of their preparation the state of currently available and proven technical

    knowledge of the Industry. They are not a code of construction neither a guide for

    maintenance or a safety handbook.

    Committees consisting of personalities from the Industry contribute to the development ofthose documents.

    3.2. - The Society only is qualified to apply its Rules and to interpret them. Any

    reference to them is void unless it involves the Societys intervention.

    3.3. - The Services of the Society are carried out by professional Surveyors according tothe Code of Ethics of the Members of the International Association of ClassificationSocieties (IACS).

    3.4. - The operations of the Society in providing its Services make use of random

    inspections and are absolutely exclusive of any monitoring and thorough verification.

    ARTICLE 4

    4.1. - The Society, acting by reference to its Rules:

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    conducts surveys at the place of their construction;

    classes Units and enters their name in its Register;

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    In particular, the Society does not engage in any work relating to the design,

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    ARTICLE 8

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    8.2. - The class of a Unit may be suspended in the event of non-payment of fee after a

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    ARTICLE 9

    9.1. - The documents and data provided to or prepared by the Society for its Services, and

    the information available to the Society, are treated as confidential. However: Clients have access to the data they have provided to the Society and to the reports

    and certificates which have been prepared for them;

    copy of the documents made available for the classification of the Unit can behanded over to another Classification Society Member of the InternationalAssociation of Classification Societies (IACS) in case of the Units transfer of class;

    the data relative to the evolution of the Register, to the class suspension and to thesurvey status of the Units are passed on to IACS according to the associationworking rules;

    technical records and history related to specific class notations may be transferred tothe new owner in case of change of ownership;

    the certificates, documents and information relative to the Units classed with theSociety are passed on upon order of the flag authorities of the Unit or of a Courthaving jurisdiction.

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    ARTICLE 10

    10.1. - Any delay or shortcoming in the performance of its Services by the Society arising

    from an event not reasonably foreseeable by or beyond the control of the Society shall bedeemed not to be a breach of contract.

    ARTICLE 1111.1. - The Society may designate another Surveyor at the request of the Client in case of

    diverging opinions during surveys.

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    ARTICLE 12

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    12.3. - Other disputes over the present General Conditions or over the Services of

    the Society are exclusively submitted to arbitration in London according to the

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    ARTICLE 13

    13.1. - These General Conditions constitute the sole contractual obligations binding

    together the Society and the Client, to the exclusion of all other representation,

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    13.2. - The invalidity of one or more stipulations of the present General Conditions does

    not affect the validity of the remaining provisions.

    13.3. - The definitions herein take precedence over any definitions serving the same

    purpose which may appear in other documents issued by the Society.

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    November 2001

    RULE NOTE NR 476

    APPROVAL TESTING of WELDERS

    Section 1 Approval Testing and Certification of Welders for Fusion Welding

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    2 Bureau Veritas November 2001

    NR 476 Approval Testing of Welders

    Section 1 Approval Testing and Certification of Welders for Fusion Welding

    1 General 3

    1.1

    2 Welders employed for steel hull 3

    2.1 Variables for approval testing2.2 Range of approval2.3 Welding of approval test pieces2.4 Examinations and tests2.5 Certification

    3 Welders employed for aluminium alloys structures 83.1 Variables for approval testing3.2 Range of approval3.3 Welding of approval test pieces3.4 Examinations and tests3.5 Certification

    4 Welders employed for other productions 12

    4.1 Approval tests and range of approval4.2 Certification

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    NR 476, Sec 1

    November 2001 Bureau Veritas 3

    SECTION 1 APPROVAL TESTING AND CERTIFICATION OFWELDERS FOR FUSION WELDING

    1 General

    1.1

    1.1.1 This document gives approval testing conditions,

    acceptance requirements and range of approval of welders

    employed for fusion welding when specified by Bureau Ver-

    itas Rules for the Classification of Steel Ships.

    1.1.2 Approval testing of welder is required for fusion

    welding processes designated as manual or semi-automatic

    welding processes where the quality of the welded joint

    depends mainly on the manual skill of the welder. Opera-

    tors using fully mechanized and fully automatic welding

    processes are to be suitably trained and experienced.

    1.1.3 After satisfactory completion of approval tests under

    the supervision of a Society surveyor, the Society will issue

    an approval certificate on appropriate form (see annex).

    1.1.4 Alternative standards or procedures for approval test-

    ing considered as equivalent to the provisions set in this

    document may be used upon special consideration of theSociety.

    2 Welders employed for steel hull

    2.1 Variables for approval testing

    2.1.1 Welding processes

    Manual or semi-automatic welding processes commonlyused are listed as follows :

    Metal arc welding with covered electrodes (SMAW, ISO

    4063 ref. number 111)

    Metal arc inert gas welding (MIG, ISO 4063 ref. number

    131)

    Flux cored wire metal arc welding with active gas shield

    or without gas shield (FCAW, ISO 4063 respective ref.number 136 and 114)

    Change of welding process shall require new approval test-

    ing.

    2.1.2 Welding consumables

    In general approval tests are carried out using filler metal of

    grade matching the base material strength.

    2.1.3 Type of weld joint

    A change of type of weld joint to type for which the welder

    is not approved shall require new approval testing.

    2.1.4 Type and dimensions of base products

    Welding of base products with dimensions out of theapproved range shall require new approval testing.

    2.1.5 Welding position

    A change in the position of welding to one for which the

    welder is not approved shall require new approval testing.

    The welding positions for plates are identified in Fig 3.

    2.2 Range of approval

    2.2.1 Welding process

    Approval tests are to be performed for each process.

    2.2.2 Welding consumables

    Approval is extended to the use of any consumables similar

    to the type used for the approval tests and suitable for the

    materials to be welded and processes used.

    A change in the type of covered electrode may require a

    change in the welders technique. Approval tests performedwith a type of covered electrode may extend approval to the

    use of other types of covered electrode as specified in Tab

    1.

    Table 1 : Range of approval for electrode coating

    2.2.3 Range of thickness

    According to the thickness of approval test pieces, the range

    of approval for plate thickness is given in table 2. The limits

    are not to be understood as strict conditions.

    Table 2 : Approval test piece thickness and range of

    approval

    Type of covered electrode

    used for approval test pieces

    Type of covered electrode

    which may be used for pro-

    duction work

    Acid or rutile-acid covering Acid or rutile-acid covering

    Rutile or rutile-basic or

    rutile-cellulosic or rutile-

    thick covering

    Acid or rutile-acid covering

    or rutile or rutile-basic or

    rutile-cellulosic or rutile-

    thick covering

    Basic covering Acid or rutile-acid covering

    or rutile or rutile-basic or

    rutile-cellulosic or rutile-

    thick covering or basic cov-

    ering

    Cellulosic covering Cellulosic covering

    Approval test piece thick-

    ness t (mm)

    Range of approval for pro-

    duction works

    t 3 mm t to 2 t

    3 mm < t 12 mm 3 mm to 2 t

    t > 12 mm t 5 mm

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    NR 476, Sec 1

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    2.2.4 Welding positions and type of weld joint andproducts

    Approval tests performed on butt welds in horizontal (PC),

    vertical upwards (PF), overhead (PE) positions and on fillet

    welds in horizontal overhead (PD), vertical upwards (PF)

    positions extend approval to butt and fillet production

    welding in all positions except vertical downwards. This setof tests also extends approval to production fillet welding of

    fixed hollow sections to plate in positions PB, PF and PD as

    shown in Fig 4.

    Approval tests performed on butt welds in horizontal (PC),

    vertical upwards (PF) positions and on fillet welds in vertical

    upwards (PF) position extend approval to butt and fillet pro-

    duction welding in positions tested and in flat (PA) and hor-

    izontal vertical (PB) positions. This set of tests also extendsapproval to production fillet welding of fixed hollow sec-

    tions to plate in positions PB and PF as shown in Fig 4.

    Other sets of approval tests confer approval for production

    welding in positions tested and type of joint welded.

    2.2.5 Steel category

    Base materials for approval tests are to be of normal

    strength (grades A, B, D or E) or higher strength (AH32 to

    FH40) hull steel grades. Approval is extended to production

    welding of all hull steel grades.

    2.2.6 Backing and gouging conditions

    Backing and gouging range of approval is as follows :

    Satisfactory approval test pieces welded from one sidewithout backing extend approval to welding from one

    side with backing and welding from both sides with or

    without gouging.

    Satisfactory approval test pieces welded from one sidewith backing extend approval to welding from both

    sides with gouging.

    Satisfactory approval test pieces welded from both sides

    without gouging extend approval to welding from oneside with backing and welding from both sides with

    gouging.

    2.3 Welding of approval test pieces

    2.3.1 General

    The welder is to have suitable practical experience and pro-

    fessional knowledge of the welding process including the

    regulation of the parameters of the welding equipment used

    The surveyor may stop the test if the welding conditions are

    not correct or if it appears that the welder does not have the

    technical competence to achieve the required standard.

    2.3.2 Number, shape and dimensions of test pieces

    The number, shape and dimensions of test pieces madewith plates are to be selected so as to cover the production

    welding work taking into account the welding variables in

    [2.1] and the range of approval in [2.2].

    The shape and dimensions of test pieces are shown in Fig 1and Fig 2.

    Figure 1 : Dimensions of test piecefor a butt weld in plate

    (dimensions in mm)

    Figure 2 : Dimensions of test piecefor fillet weld(s) on plate

    (dimensions in mm)

    2.3.3 Welding conditions

    The approval tests are to correspond to the conditions used

    in production welding and follow a welding procedure

    specification representative of production practice.

    3

    0

    0

    t

    1 2 5 1 2 5

    t

    12

    5

    t

    1 2 5

    1

    5

    0

    z

    a

    z = a 2

    F o r t 6 m m a 0 , 5 t F o r t < 6 m m 0 , 5 t a t( z ~ 0 , 7 t )

    ~

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    NR 476, Sec 1

    November 2001 Bureau Veritas 5

    In general the following condition apply :

    The time for the welding of the test piece is to corre-

    spond to the usual working condition;

    The test piece shall have at least one stop and restart in

    the root run and in the top capping run which has to beidentified for further examination;

    Any preheat or controlled heat input specified in thewelding procedure is required for the test piece;

    Any post-weld heat treatment specified in the weldingprocedure may be omitted unless bend tests are

    required;

    The test pieces are to be suitably identified with the

    mark of the surveyor and the identification of the welder

    before welding starts;

    The welder is allowed to remove minor imperfections,

    except on the surface layer, by grinding or any other

    method used in production upon surveyor's agreement;

    The appearence of each pass, both for butt and fillet

    welds, is to be of appropriate geometry and practically

    free from undercuts, convexities and sizeable local

    defects; the surface is to be sufficiently regular.

    Similarly the back of the weld is to be free from sizeable

    undercuts, excessive convexities and lack of penetra-

    tion; in particular for the welders to be qualified for one

    side welding without backing the root penetration of the

    samples is to be regular and constant.

    Figure 3 : Welding positions for plates

    P B H o r i z o n t a l v e r t i c a l

    P A F l a t

    P G V e r t i c a l d o w n w a r d s

    P E O v e r h e a d

    P C H o r i z o n t a l

    P F V e r t i c a l u p w a r d s

    P A F l a t

    P D H o r i z o n t a l o v e r h e a d

    P G V e r t i c a l d o w n w a r d s

    P F V e r t i c a l u p w a r d s

    a ) B u t t w e l d s

    b ) F i l l e d w e l d s

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    NR 476, Sec 1

    6 Bureau Veritas November 2001

    Figure 4 : Welding positions for hollow sections

    2.4 Examinations and tests

    2.4.1 General

    The non destructive examinations and destructive tests to be

    performed are indicated in Tab 3.

    Prior to mechanical tests, backing strips where used are to

    be removed. The test piece can be sectioned by thermal

    cutting or by mechanical means discarding the first and last

    25mm of the test piece at the end of the plates.

    Table 3 : Examinations and tests

    P i p e : r o t a t i n g

    A x i s : h o r i z o n t a l

    W e l d : h o r i z o n t a l v e r t i c a l

    2 *

    P i p e : f i x e d

    A x i s : h o r i z o n t a l

    W e l d : v e r t i c a l u p w a r d s

    2 .

    P i p e : f i x e d

    A x i s : v e r t i c a l

    W e l d : h o r i z o n t a l o v e r h e a d

    2 ,

    Type of examination or test

    Extent of the examination or test

    Butt weld plate Fillet weld

    Visual examination 100% 100%

    Radiographic test 100% (1)

    Bend tests (2) 2 face, 2 root

    Fracture tests 1 sample (1) 1 sample (3) (4)

    Macroexamination 4 sections (4)

    (1) Radiographic or fracture test is to be used (not both).

    (2) For processes 131 (MIG) and 135 (MAG), bend tests are mandatory when radiography is used; face and root bend tests may be

    substituted by 4 side bend tests for t 12 mm.

    (3) Magnetic particle/liquid penetrant tests are also to be carried out if required by the surveyor

    (4) The fracture test may be replaced by a macro examination, one of which in start/stop position.

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    NR 476, Sec 1

    November 2001 Bureau Veritas 7

    2.4.2 Test pieces and test specimens

    Details of the type, dimensions and preparation of testpieces and test specimens are given in Fig 5 and Fig 6.

    For butt welds in plates, the following conditions apply :

    When radiographic test is used the inspection length of

    the weld in the test pieces shall be radiographed in theas-welded condition in accordance with ISO 1106-1 orISO 1106-2 using class B technique;

    When fracture testing is used, the full test piece inspec-tion length shall be tested and to do this, the test piece

    shall be cut into several test specimens (Fig 5a). The

    length of any fracture test specimen shall be about

    50mm. If necessary, the weld reinforcement of the test

    specimen may be removed and additionally the weld

    edges may be notched to a depth of about 5mm to ini-tiate fracture in the weld metal (Fig 7b). In the case of

    single-sided welding without backing, half of the

    inspection length shall be tested against the face sideand the other half against the root side (Fig 5c and 5d).

    When transverse bend testing is used for plate thickness

    greater than 3mm, 2 root bend test specimens and 2face bend test specimens shall be tested in accordance

    with EN 910 or equivalent standard. The mandrel diam-

    eter is to be 4t and the bending angle at least 120.

    For plate thickness greater than 12mm, the transverse

    bend tests may be substituted by 4 side bend tests.

    For fillet welds on plates, the following conditions apply :

    For fracture tests the test piece may be cut, if necessary,into several test specimens (see Fig 6a). Each test speci-

    men shall be positioned for breaking as shown in Fig 6b,

    and examined after fracture.

    When macro examination is used, 4 test specimens

    shall be taken equally spaced in the inspection length.

    Figure 5 : Preparation and fracture testing of test specimens for a butt weld in plate

    (dimensions in mm)

    2

    2 5

    2 5

    I n s p e c t i o n l e n g t h

    o f t h e t e s t p i e c e

    1

    1

    a ) S e c t i o n i n g i n t o a n e v e n - n u m b e r e d q u a n t i t y

    o f t e s t s p e c i m e n s

    b ) P r e p a r a t i o n

    c ) F r a c t u r e t e s t i n g f a c e b e n d t e s t d ) F r a c t u r e t e s t i n g r o o t b e n d t e s t

    I n s p e c t i o n l e n g t h

    o f t e s t s p e c i m e n

    ~

    2

    ~

    ~ 5 0

    ~

    ~ 5

    ~

    ~ 5

    ~

    ~

    2

    ~

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    NR 476, Sec 1

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    Figure 6 : Preparation and fracture testing of test specimens for a fillet weld on plate

    (dimensions in mm)

    2.4.3 Acceptance criteria

    During the testing for butt welds in plates, the test speci-

    mens are not to reveal any open defect, in any direction,greater than 3mm. Defects appearing at the corner of the

    test specimen may be disregarded.

    The acceptance requirements for imperfections found by

    visual and radiographic examination or fracture are to be

    assessed in accordance with ISO standard 5817.

    The imperfections are to be within the specified limits of

    level B in ISO standard 5817 except for imperfections type

    as follows : excess weld metal, excessive convexity, excess

    throat thickness and excessive penetration, for which level

    C is acceptable.

    2.4.4 Re-testing

    The test sample is to be repeated if any test piece fails to

    comply with the requirements.

    When the failure of the repeated test is due to the welder

    lack of skill, the welder is to be adequately trained and usu-ally will not be permitted to perform new approval tests

    unless at least a month has elapsed since the previous

    examination.

    2.5 Certification

    2.5.1 General

    Upon satisfactory completion of the approval tests an

    approval certificate is issued stating approval tests per-

    formed and range of approval.

    2.5.2 Initial approval

    The validity of the welders approval begins from the date

    when all the required tests are satisfactorily completed.

    The approval shall remain valid for a period of two years

    unless the welder is not engaged in a given welding process

    for which he is approved for a period exceeding six months

    and unless there is specific reason to question the welders

    ability. The employer/welding supervisor is to endorse therelevant certificate at six months interval to confirm that theconditions of validity are fulfilled.

    2.5.3 Prolongation

    In order to renew the certificate for another two-year

    period, approval tests as per initial approval are to be per-

    formed. Alternative procedure may be used upon special

    consideration by the Society.

    Approval tests may be reduced where records of X-ray or

    ultrasonic inspections or test reports about fracture tests

    from production welds made by the welder are available

    and maintained on file with the welders approval certifi-cate.

    3 Welders employed for aluminiumalloys structures

    3.1 Variables for approval testing

    3.1.1 Welding processes

    Manual or semi-automatic welding processes commonly

    used are listed as follows :

    Metal arc inert gas welding (MIG, ISO 4063 ref. number

    131)

    Tungsten inert gas welding (TIG, ISO 4063 ref. number

    141)

    Change of welding process shall require new approval test-

    ing.

    3.1.2 Welding consumables

    Approval tests are to be carried out using suitable filler

    metal and gas shield compatible with the parent metal and

    the process.

    3.1.3 Type of weld joint

    A change of type of weld joint to type for which the welder

    is not approved shall require new approval testing.

    3.1.4 Type and dimensions of base products

    Welding of base products with dimensions out of theapproved range shall require new approval testing.

    2

    5

    b ) F r a c t u r e t e s t i n g

    ( T h e f i l l e t w e l d m a y b e n o t c h e d i f n e c e s s a r y )

    I n s p e c t i o n l e n g t h

    o f f i l l e t w e l d

    a ) S e c t i o n i n g i n t o a n e v e n - n u m b e r e d

    q u a n t i t y o f t e s t s p e c i m e n s

    2

    5

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    3.1.5 Welding position

    A change in the position of welding to one for which the

    welder is not approved shall require new approval testing.

    The welding positions for plates are identified in Fig 3.

    3.2 Range of approval

    3.2.1 Welding process

    Approval tests are to be performed for each process.

    3.2.2 Welding consumables

    Approval is extended to the use of any consumables similar

    to the type used for the approval tests and suitable for the

    materials to be welded and processes used.

    3.2.3 Range of thickness

    According to the thickness of approval test pieces, the range

    of approval for plate thickness is given in table 4. The limits

    are not to be understood as strict conditions.

    Table 4 : Approval test piece thickness and range of

    approval

    3.2.4 Welding positions and type of weld joint andproducts

    Approval tests performed on butt welds in horizontal (PC),vertical upwards (PF), overhead (PE) positions and on fillet

    welds in horizontal overhead (PD), vertical upwards (PF)

    positions extend approval to butt and fillet production

    welding in all positions except vertical downwards. This setof tests also extends approval to production fillet welding of

    fixed hollow section to plate in positions PB, PF and PD as

    shown in Fig 4.

    Approval tests performed on butt welds in horizontal (PC),

    vertical upwards (PF) positions and on fillet welds in vertical

    upwards (PF) position extend approval to butt and fillet pro-duction welding in positions tested and in flat (PA) and hor-

    izontal vertical (PB) positions. This set of tests also extends

    approval to production fillet welding of fixed hollow sec-tion to plate in positions PB and PF as shown in Fig 4.

    Other sets of approval tests confer approval to productionwelding in positions tested and type of joint welded.

    3.2.5 Aluminium alloys category

    Approval tests are made on plates of a typical marine alu-minium alloy grade (usual 5083, 5086, 5754) and confer

    approval to production welds on plates and/with extruded

    products made of alloys 6005A, 6061and 6082.

    3.2.6 Backing and gouging conditions

    Backing and gouging range of approval is as follows :

    Satisfactory approval test pieces welded from one sidewithout backing extend approval to welding from one

    side with backing and welding from both sides with orwithout gouging.

    Satisfactory approval test pieces welded from one side

    with backing extend approval to welding from both

    sides with gouging.

    Satisfactory approval test pieces welded from both sideswithout gouging extend approval to welding from oneside with backing and welding from both sides with

    gouging.

    3.3 Welding of approval test pieces

    3.3.1 General

    The welder is to have suitable practical experience and pro-

    fessional knowledge of the welding process including the

    regulation of the parameters of the welding equipment used

    The surveyor may stop the test if the welding conditions are

    not correct or if it appears that the welder does not have thetechnical competence to achieve the required standard.

    3.3.2 Number, shape and dimensions of test pieces

    The number, shape and dimensions of test pieces made

    with plates are to be selected so as to cover the production

    welding work taking into account the welding variables in

    [3.1] and the range of approval in [3.2].

    The shape and dimensions of test pieces required are shown

    in Fig 7 and Fig 8.

    Figure 7 : Dimensions of test piecefor a butt weld in plate

    (dimensions in mm)

    Approval test piece thick-

    ness t (mm)

    Range of approval for pro-

    duction works

    t 6 mm 0,7 t to 2,5 t

    6 mm < t 15 mm 6 mm to 40 mm

    3

    0

    0

    t

    1 5 0 1 5 0

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    Figure 8 : Dimensions of test piecefor fillet weld(s) on plate

    (dimensions in mm)

    3.3.3 Welding conditions

    The approval tests are to correspond to the conditions usedin production welding and follow a welding procedure

    specification representative of production practice.

    In general the following condition apply :

    The time for the welding of the test piece is to corre-

    spond to the usual working condition;

    The test piece shall have at least one stop and restart inthe root run and in the top capping run which has to be

    identified for further examination;

    Any preheat or controlled heat input specified in the

    welding procedure is required for the test piece;

    The test pieces are to be suitably identified with the

    mark of the surveyor and the identification of the welderbefore welding starts;

    The welder is allowed to remove minor imperfections,except on the surface layer, by grinding or any other

    method used in production upon surveyor's agreement;

    The appearence of each pass, both for butt and fillet

    welds, is to be of appropriate geometry and practically

    free from undercuts, convexities and sizeable localdefects; the surface is to be sufficiently regular.

    Similarly the back of the weld is to be free from sizeableundercuts, excessive convexities and lack of penetra-

    tion; in particular for the welders to be qualified for one

    side welding without backing the root penetration of the

    samples is to be regular and constant.

    3.4 Examinations and tests

    3.4.1 General

    The non destructive examinations and destructive tests to be

    performed are indicated in Tab 5.

    Prior to mechanical tests, backing strips where used are to

    be removed. The test piece can be sectioned by thermal

    cutting or by mechanical means discarding the first and last

    25mm of the test piece at the end of the plates.

    3.4.2 Test pieces and test specimens

    Details of the type, dimensions and preparation of testpieces and test specimens are given in Fig 9 and Fig 10.

    For butt welds in plates, the following conditions apply :

    When radiography is used the inspection length of the

    weld in the test pieces shall be radiographed in the as-

    welded condition in accordance with ISO 2437 using

    class B technique;

    When fracture testing is used, the full test piece inspec-

    tion length shall be tested and to do this, the test piece

    shall be cut into several test specimens (Fig 5a). The

    length of any fracture test specimen shall be about50mm. If necessary, the weld reinforcement of the test

    specimen may be removed and additionally the weld

    edges may be notched to a depth of about 5mm to ini-tiate fracture in the weld metal (Fig 7b). In the case of

    single-sided welding without backing, half of the

    inspection length shall be tested against the face sideand the other half against the root side (Fig 5c and 5d).

    When transverse bend testing is used for plate thicknessgreater than 3mm, 2 root bend test specimens and 2

    face bend test specimens shall be tested. The mandrel

    diameter is to be 6t for alloys 5083, 5086 and 5383, 7t

    for alloys 6005A, 6061 and 6082 in temper condition

    T5 or T6 and the bending angle 180.

    For plate thickness greater than 12mm, the transverse

    bend tests may be substituted by 4 side bend tests.

    For fillet welds on plates, the following conditions apply :

    For fracture tests the test piece may be cut, if necessary,

    into several test specimens (see Fig 6a). Each test speci-men shall be positioned for breaking as shown in Fig 6b,

    and examined after fracture.

    When macro examination is used, 4 test specimens

    shall be taken equally spaced in the inspection length.

    t

    1

    5

    0

    t

    1 5 0

    3

    0

    0

    z

    a

    z = a 2

    F o r t 6 m m a 0 , 5 t

    F o r t < 6 m m 0 , 5 t a t

    ( z ~ 0 , 7 t )

    ~

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    Table 5 : Examinations and tests

    Figure 9 : Preparation and fracture testing of test specimens for a butt weld in plate

    (dimensions in mm)

    Type of examination or test

    Extent of the examination or test

    Butt weld plate Fillet weld

    Visual examination 100% 100%

    Radiographic test 100% (1)

    Bend tests (2) 2 face, 2 root

    Fracture tests 1 sample (1) 1 sample (3) (4)

    Macro examination 4 sections (4)

    (1) Radiographic test or fracture test is to be used (not both).

    (2) Only mandatory in addition to radiographic test for process 131 (MIG).

    (3) When required by the surveyor, liquid penetrant examination is also to be carried out.

    (4) The fracture test may be replaced by a macro examination, one of which in start/stop position.

    2

    2 5

    2 5

    I n s p e c t i o n l e n g t h

    o f t h e t e s t p i e c e

    1

    1

    a ) S e c t i o n i n g i n t o a n e v e n - n u m b e r e d q u a n t i t y

    o f t e s t s p e c i m e n s

    b ) P r e p a r a t i o n

    c ) F r a c t u r e t e s t i n g f a c e b e n d t e s t d ) F r a c t u r e t e s t i n g r o o t b e n d t e s t

    I n s p e c t i o n l e n g t h

    o f t e s t s p e c i m e n

    ~

    2

    ~

    ~ 5 0

    ~

    ~ 5

    ~

    ~ 5

    ~

    ~

    2

    ~

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    NR 476, Sec 1

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    Figure 10 : Preparation and fracture testing of test specimens for a fillet weld on plate

    (dimensions in mm)

    3.4.3 Acceptance criteria

    During the testing for butt welds in plates, the test speci-

    mens are not to reveal any open defect, in any direction,

    greater than 3mm. Defects appearing at the corner of thetest specimen may be disregarded.

    The acceptance requirements for imperfections found by

    visual and radiographic examination or fracture are to be

    assessed in accordance with ISO standard 10042.

    The imperfections are to be within the specified limits of

    level B in ISO standard 10042 except for imperfections type

    as follows : excess weld metal, excessive convexity, excess

    throat thickness and excessive penetration, for which levelC is acceptable.

    3.4.4 Re-testing

    The test sample is to be repeated if any test piece fails to

    comply with the requirements.

    When the failure of the repeated test is due to the welder

    lack of skill, the welder is to be adequately trained and usu-ally will not be permitted to perform new approval tests

    unless at least a month has elapsed since the previous

    examination.

    3.5 Certification

    3.5.1 General

    Upon satisfactory completion of the approval tests an

    approval certificate is issued stating approval tests per-formed and range of approval.

    3.5.2 Initial approval

    The validity of the welders approval begins from the date

    when all the required tests are satisfactorily completed.

    The approval shall remain valid for a period of two years

    unless the welder is not engaged in a given welding process

    for which he is approved for a period exceeding six monthsand unless there is specific reason to question the weldersability. The employer/welding supervisor is to endorse the

    relevant certificate at six months interval to confirm that the

    conditions of validity are fulfilled.

    3.5.3 Prolongation

    In order to renew the certificate for another two-year

    period, approval tests as per initial approval are to be per-

    formed. Alternative procedure may be used upon special

    consideration by the Society.

    Approval tests may be reduced where records of X-ray or

    ultrasonic inspections or test reports about fracture tests

    from production welds made by the welder are availableand maintained on file with the welders approval certifi-

    cate.

    4 Welders employed for other produc-tions

    4.1 Approval tests and range of approval

    4.1.1 For productions not included in [2] and [3] (such assome welded components, boilers and pressure vessels,

    pressure piping systems...), the extent of the approval tests

    and examinations with their acceptance criteria and therange of approval are to be based on the relevant require-

    ments of a suitable standard recognized by the Society, e.g.

    ISO 9606 series, EN 287 series, ASME Section IX,ANSI/AWS D1.1.

    4.2 Certification

    4.2.1 Upon satisfactory completion of the approval tests

    performed under the supervision of a Society surveyor an

    approval certificate is issued stating approval tests per-

    formed and range of approval.

    4.2.2 The conditions set in [2.5.2] and [2.5.3] are applica-ble.

    2

    5

    b ) F r a c t u r e t e s t i n g

    ( T h e f i l l e t w e l d m a y b e n o t c h e d i f n e c e s s a r y )

    I n s p e c t i o n l e n g t h

    o f f i l l e t w e l d

    a ) S e c t i o n i n g i n t o a n e v e n - n u m b e r e d

    q u a n t i t y o f t e s t s p e c i m e n s

    2

    5

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    NR 476, Sec 1

    13

    ANNEX Form of the approval certificate

    Certificate number :

    Employer's name and address :

    Welder's name :

    Identification :

    Method of identification :

    Date and place of birth :

    Production type Steel hull Aluminium alloys structures Others (1)

    (1) Approval conditions are based on following recognized standard :

    Type of test and examination

    Visual examination

    Radiography test

    Magnetic particle test

    Dye penetrant test

    Macrography

    Fracture test

    Bend test

    Others

    Welding variables

    Welding process

    Welding consumable

    Base material group

    Type of base product

    Type of weld joint

    Range of thickness

    Welding positions

    Backing and gouging condition

    Others

    Date and place of issue : This certificate expires on :

    BV Mod. Ad.E 636 - 10/01

    This Certificate is delivered within the scope of the General Conditions of BUREAU VERITAS Marine Division. Any person not a party to the contract

    pursuant to which this document is delivered may not assert a claim against Bureau Veritas for any liability arising out of errors or omissions which may be

    contained in said document, or for errors of judgment, fault or negligence commited by personnel of the Society or of its Agents in establishment or issuance

    of this document, and in connection with any activities for which it may provide.

    Employer's endorsment to confirm the validity for the following

    six months (date, name, position, signature) :

    This is to attest that the welder identified above has passed the approval tests, under the supervision of Bureau

    Veritas, in accordance with Rule Note NR 476 and Bureau Veritas Rules for the Classification of Steel ships.

    WELDER APPROVAL TEST CERTIFICATE

    according to Bureau Veritas Rules

    Manufacturer's Welding Procedure(s) Specification number

    for the Classification of Steel Ships

    Range of approval

    Welder's

    photograph

    (optional)

    Surveyor's name, signature and stamp :

    Not performed / Performed & Test report number