Code-check of welds according to Hong Kong Code

This article is also available in:
Welds are designed according to Cl. 9.2 – Simplified method.

Butt welds

Full penetration butt welds are expected and their resistance is considered equal to that of the parent metal – Cl. 9.2.5.2.1.

Fillet welds

Fillet welds are designed by Simplified method according to Cl. 9.2.5.1.6. 

fwpw f_w \le p_w

  • fw=σ2+τ2+τ2f_w = \sqrt{\sigma_\perp ^2 + \tau_\perp ^2 + \tau_\parallel ^2} – vector sum of stresses in weld throat in all directions
  • pwp_w – design strength of fillet weld determined according to Table 9.2a and 9.2b; for cases not covered by Tables 9.2a and 9.2b:
    • pw=min{0.5Ue,0.55Us}p_w = \min \{0.5 U_e, 0.55 U_s\} – for EN electrode used with EN steel
    • pw=0.38min{Ue,Us}p_w = 0.38 \min \{U_e, U_s\} – for other cases
  • UeU_e – minimum tensile strength of electrode
  • UsU_s – minimum tensile strength
inline image in article

The effective length of the fillet weld is reduced by 2s2\cdot s according to Cl. 9.2.5.1.3, where ss is the fillet weld leg size assumed equal to a2a\cdot \sqrt{2}.



Electrode
Steel grade354250
S 275220220220
S 355220250250
S 460220250280
Steel gradeElectrodeDesign strength
Q235E43160
Q345E50200
Q390, Q420E55220

Tables 9.2a and 9.2b: Design strengths pwp_w [MPa]

Welding electrodeMinimum tensile strength UeU_e [MPa]
35440
42500
50560
E43421.1
E50526.3
E55578.9

Default minimal tensile strength of electrode UeU_e [MPa]

The weld diagrams show stress according to the following formula:

σ=σ2+τ2+3τ2 \sigma = \sqrt{\sigma_{\perp}^2 + \tau_{\perp}^2 + 3 \tau_{\parallel}^2 }

Related articles

Code-check of plates according to Hong Kong Code

Code-check of bolts according to Hong Kong Code

Weld size and length

How are welds modeled in IDEA StatiCa