Weld Length Formula:
Definition: This calculator determines the required length of a single fillet lap joint weld based on tensile strength, stress, and plate thickness.
Purpose: It helps welding engineers and fabricators design proper weld joints that can withstand specified tensile loads.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The 0.707 factor accounts for the effective throat area of a 45° fillet weld.
Details: Proper weld length calculation ensures joint integrity, prevents over-welding (saving time and materials), and meets safety requirements.
Tips: Enter tensile strength, tensile stress (with ±5% tolerance), and plate thickness (with ±5% tolerance). All values must be > 0.
Q1: Why is there a ±5% tolerance on inputs?
A: Material properties and dimensions often have natural variations; the tolerance accounts for these practical considerations.
Q2: What's the significance of the 0.707 factor?
A: It represents cos(45°) which converts leg length to effective throat thickness in a standard fillet weld.
Q3: How does plate thickness affect weld length?
A: Thicker plates require longer welds to distribute the tensile load across a greater cross-sectional area.
Q4: Can this be used for double fillet joints?
A: No, this calculator is for single fillet joints. Double fillet joints would require dividing the result by 2.
Q5: What safety factor should I apply?
A: Consider adding 10-20% to the calculated length as a safety margin depending on application criticality.