Since there is no universally applicable guideline or formula for welding design and fabrication, it is difficult to determine if the metallurgical properties of a finished weld will perform in accordance with engineering requirements. Consideration of all five major factors influencing the weldability of a structure - type of steel, material thickness, weld gaps or tolerance buildup, size of weld, and type of welding process - is the basis of the method for selecting appropriate steels and joint designs that is described in this paper. When used early in the design process along with such procedures as laboratory simulation, destructive testing, and metallurgical examination, it can prevent design and material changes from appearing at later, costlier stages of production.
