Doc. No.

: ExWI-NDT-21103
ULTRASONIC TESTING FOR STEEL STRUCTURE WELDS Page 1 of 14
(NON-TUBULAR CONNECTION) Revision No.: 00
Issue Date: July 26, 2021

PROCEDURE

FOR

ULTRASONIC TESTING FOR STEEL STRUCTURE WELDS

(NON-TUBULAR CONNECTION)

Document No : ExWI-NDT- 21103 Page : 1 of 14 Revise No : 00 Issue Date: July 26, 2021

Prepared By Reviewed By and Approved By

Signature

Position ASNT NDT Level III-245131 ASNT NDT Level III-173938

Name Mr. Sudhir Kumar Pantagani Mr. Wichan Chunta

Sign Date July 26, 2021 July 26, 2021

Assigned to client Copy No. Total Page

14

Correction History

00 July 26, 2021 First Issued

Revise No. Revise Date Description
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Issue Date: July 26, 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DESCRIPTION PAGE

1.0 SCOPE 3

2.0 PERSONNEL 3

3.0 REFERENCE 3

4.0 EQUIPMENT 3

5.0 EQUIPMENT CALIBRATION 3

6.0 CALIBRATION FOR TESTING 4

7.0 SURFACE PREPARATION 4

8.0 PROCEDURE 5

9.0 EVALUATION OF INDICATIONS 5

10.0 ACCEPTABLE STANDARD 6

11.0 RE-EXAMINATION OF REPAIR AREAS 6

12.0 REPORTS 6

13.0 SAFETY 6

APPENDIX A : ULTRASONIC EXAMINATION REPORT FORM 7

APPENDIX B : ACCEPTABLE CRITERIA 10

APPENDIX C : TESTING ANGLE 12

APPENDIX D : UT SCANNING PATERNS 14

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1.0 SCOPE
This examination procedures are to govern the ultrasonic testing of groove welds and heat-affected
zones of structure steel, which thickness between 5/16” (8 mm) and 8” (200 mm) inclusive. These
procedures are not to be used for testing tube-to-tube T-, Y-, or K-connections.

2.0 PERSONNEL
2.1 Personnel performing UT shall have valid ASNT/CSWIP/PCN Level II and qualified to perform all
type of joints.
2.2 Only individuals qualified for NDT Level II or level III shall be Interpret, evaluate the test and
endorse signature on the report.

3.0 REFERENCE
3.1 AWS D1.1, “Structure Welding Code – Steel” 2020 Edition
3.2 ASTM A578-17 : Standard specification for straight beam ultrasonic examination of plain and clad
steel plates for special applications.
3.3 Client’s project specification

4.0 EQUIPMENT
4.1 Ultrasonic flaw detectors
The ultrasonic instrument shall be the pulse echo type suitable for use with transducers oscillating
at frequencies between 1 and 6 MHz.
4.2 Probes
 Probes may be single or dual transducer elements.
 Angle beam probes 45, 60 and 70 degrees (± 2 degree), frequency between 2 to 2.5 MHz.
 Straight beam (Longitudinal Wave) probes, frequency between 2 to 5 MHz.
4.3 Calibration block
Calibration/Reference Blocks
 IIW Ultrasonic reference block with 0.060” (1.5 mm) side drill hole, V1 Block
 Miniature calibration block with 0.060” (1.5 mm) side drill hole, V2 Block
4.4 Couplant
4.4.1 The couplants shall be either glycerin, light machine oil or starch paste shall be used for
both calibration and examination.
4.4.2 The couplants must be compatible with the temperature of the specimen.

5.0 EQUIPMENT CALIBRATION

Equipment shall be calibrated in accordance with Section 8.23 and 8.28 of AWS D1.1 Standard.
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5.1 The horizontal linearity of the test instrument shall be qualified over the full sound path distance
to be used in accordance with 8.23.1 and requalified after each 40 hours of instrument use in
each of the distance ranges.
5.2 The instrument gain control shall be checked for correct calibration at two month intervals in
accordance with 8.23.2 of AWS D1.1.
5.3 Each angle beam probe shall be checked after each eight (8) hours of use to determine that the
contact face is flat, that the sound entry point is correct, and that the beam angle is within the
permitted tolerance of plus or minus 2 degree per 8.27.2.1 and 8.27.2.2 of AWS D1.1.

6.0 CALIBRATION FOR TESTING

6.1 All calibrations and tests shall be made with the reject (clipping or suppression) control turned off.
6.2 Calibration for sensitivity and horizontal sweep (distance) shall be made by the ultrasonic
operator just prior to and at the location of testing of each weld.
6.3 Recalibration shall be made after a change of operators, each 30 minute maximum time interval,
or when the electrical circuitry is disturbed in any change which includes transducer, battery,
electrical outlet, coaxial cable, or power outage (failure).
6.4 Straight-Beam Testing of Base Metal.
Calibration for straight-beam testing of base metal shall be made with the probe applied to Face
A of the base metal and performed as follows:
6.4.1 The horizontal sweep shall be adjusted for distance calibration to present the equivalent of
at least two plate thicknesses on the display.
6.4.2 The sensitivity shall be adjusted at a location free of indications so that the first back
reflection from the far side of the plate will be 50 to 75% of full screen height.
6.5 Calibration for Angle-Beam Testing.
Calibration for angle-beam testing shall be performed as follows:
6.5.1 The horizontal sweep shall be adjusted to represent the actual sound-path distance by
using the IIW block. The distance calibration shall be made using any range scale on the
display, whichever is appropriate.
6.5.2 The zero reference level sensitivity used for flaw evaluation ("b" on the ultrasonic test
report) is attained by adjusting the calibrated gain control of the flaw detector, so that a
maximized horizontal trace deflection results on the display.

7.0 SURFACE PREPARATION

7.1 All surfaces to which a probe is applied shall be free of weld spatter, dirt, grease, oil (other than
that used as a couplant), paint, and loose scale and shall have a contour permitting intimate
coupling.
7.2 Where the weld surface interferes with tile examination, the weld shall be prepared as needed to
permit examination.
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8.0 PROCEDURE
8.1 An "X" line for flaw location shall be marked on the test face of the weldment in a direction parallel
to the weld axis. The location distance perpendicular to the weld axis is based on the
dimensional figures on the detail drawing and usually falls on the centerline of the butt joint welds,
and always falls on the near face of the connecting member of T and corner joint welds.
8.2 A "Y" accompanied with a weld identification number shall be clearly marked on the base metal
adjacent to the weld that is ultrasonically tested. This marking is used for the following purposes:
(1) Weld identification.
(2) Identification of Face A.
(3) Distance measurements and direction (+ or -) from the "X" line.
(4) Location measurement from weld ends or edges.
8.3 The entire base metal through which ultrasound must travel to test the weld shall be tested for
laminar reflectors using a straight-beam probe. If any area of base metal exhibits total loss of
back reflection or an indication equal to or greater than the original back reflection height is
located in a position that will interfere with the normal weld scanning procedure, its size, location,
and depth from the A face shall be determined and reported on the ultrasonic test report, and an
alternate weld scanning procedure shall be used. The reflector size evaluation procedure shall
be in accordance with section 9.1.
8.4 Welds shall be tested using an angle beam probe and scanning procedure as shown appendix C.
Following calibration and during testing, the only instrument adjustment permitted is the sensitivity
level adjustment with the calibrated gain control. The reject control shall be turned off. Sensitivity
shall be increased from the reference level for weld scanning in accordance with Table 6.2 or 6.3
(See Appendix B), as applicable.
8.5 All butt joint welds shall be tested from each side of the weld axis. Corner and T-joint welds shall
be primarily tested from one side of the weld axis only. All welds shall be tested using the
applicable scanning pattern or patterns shown in appendix D as necessary to detect both
longitudinal and transverse flaws. It is intended that, as a minimum, all welds be tested by
passing sound through the entire volume of the weld and the heat-affected zone in two crossing
directions, wherever practical.

9.0 EVALUATION OF INDICATIONS

9.1 Straight-Beam Testing. When the discontinuity is larger than the probe, 6 dB loss technique
shall be used. The approximate size evaluation of discontinuity, which smaller than the probe,
must be made by beginning outside of the discontinuity moving the probe toward the area of
discontinuity until an indication on the display begins to form. The leading edge of the probe at
this point is indicative of the edge of the discontinuity.
9.2 Maximum Indication. When a discontinuity indication appears on the screen, the maximum
attainable indication from the discontinuity shall be adjusted to produce a horizontal reference
level trace deflection on the display. This adjustment shall be made with the calibrated gain
control, and the instrument reading in decibels shall be used as the "Indication Level, a" for
calculating the "Indication Rating, d" as shown on the test report.
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9.3 Attenuation Factor. The "Attenuation Factor, c" on the test report is attained by subtracting 1 inch
(25 mm) from the sound-path distance and multiplying the remainder by 2 for U.S Customary
Units or 0.08 for SI Units. This factor (c) shall be rounded to the closer significant decimal place
(0.1). Values less than 0.05 shall be rounded to the lower o.1 and those of 0.05 or greater
increased to the higher 0.1
9.4 Indication Rating. The "Indication Rating, d" in the UT Report represents the algebraic difference
in decibels between the indication level and the reference level with correction for attenuation as
indicated in the following expressions:
 Instruments with gain in dB:
a-b-c=d
9.5 The length of flaws shall be determined by 6dB loss technique.

10.0 ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA

10.1 Acceptance Criteria for Statically Loaded Non-tubular Connections.
Welds that are subject to ultrasonic testing shall be acceptable if they meet the requirements of
table 8.2 of Appendix B.
10.2 Acceptance Criteria for Cyclically Loaded Non-tubular Connections.
Welds that are subject to ultrasonic testing are acceptable if they meet the following
requirements:
(1) Welds subject to tensile stress under any condition of loading shall conform to the
requirements of table 8.3 of Appendix B.
(2) Welds subject to compressive stress shall conform to the requirements of table 6.2 of
Appendix

11.0 RE-EXAMINATION OF REPAIRED AREAS

When an imperfection has been repaired, the repaired area shall be re-examined ultrasonically with
the results reported on the new line of the report form.

12.0 REPORTS
The evaluation results shall be recorded in the report as shown on Appendix A of this procedure.
The R1, R2,…Rn shall prefix on the weld identification for the repaired weld examination record.

13.0 SAFETY
13.1 All necessary precautions shall be taken to insure that all personnel comply with safe working
practice in Qualitech General Safety Manual (SHE-01). Special care must be addressed to
the used of electricity when the dangers of electricity are to be considered. The power supply
cable, connection, and plug shall be visually inspected before use.
13.2 After completion of the examination, examination area should be kept free of interfere debris.
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APPENDIX A

ULTRASONIC EXAMINATION REPORT FORM

ULTRASONIC EXAMINATION Report No. : Page of

REPORT Test Date :
Client : Our Ref. No. : -
Project : Job No. : -
Drawing No. : Material :
Description : Equipment :
Acceptance Standard : Procedure No./SSP No. :
Stage of Examination Prepared Edge After Weld_________Hr. As Base Material
As weld Before / After PWHT After Service
Surface Preparation Grinding Brushing Non - Applicable
Type of weld : Welding Process :
Couplant : Coaxial Cable :
Calibration Block : Thickness Range :
Ref./ Sensitivity Setting : Scan Sensitivity :
Probe Serial Freq. Size Actual Index Sensitivity
Model Type Scanning Face
Angle No. (MHz.) (mm.) Angle (mm.) Setting (dB)

SKETCH :

+
X X
- Y

Remark/Test Restriction : NDD : No Discontinuity Detected,PR : Porosity, SI : Slag Inclusion, IP : Incomplete Penetration
LF : Lack of Fusion, CR : Crack , C : Complies, DNC : Does Not Comply, *C : Complies After Repair , MD : Minor Discontinuities
Completed by Performed by Certified by Client Representative Owner Representative
Company
Signature
Name
Date
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ULTRASONIC EXAMINATION Report No. : Page of

REPORT Test Date :
Client : Our Ref. No. : -
Project : Job No. : -
Drawing No. : Material :
Description : Equipment :
Acceptance Standard : Procedure No./SSP No. :
Decibels Discontinuity
Size
Indication Number

Transducer Angle

Joint From Indication Reference Attenuation Indication Depth Discontinuity

Drawing No. Leg Distance Result
No. Diameter Face Level Level Factor Rating Length Sound Path from face
(mm.) a b c d "A" From X From Y Evaluation

Remark/Test Restriction : NDD : No Discontinuity Detected,PR : Porosity, SI : Slag Inclusion, IP : Incomplete Penetration
LF : Lack of Fusion, CR : Crack , C : Complies, DNC : Does Not Comply, *C : Complies After Repair , MD : Minor Discontinuities
Completed by Performed by Certified by Client Representative Owner Representative
Company
Signature
Name
Date
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WEEKLY UT EQUIPMENT PERFORMANCE CHECK REPORT

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APPENDIX B

ACCEPTABLE CRITERIA : TABLE 8.2 of AWS D1.1

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ACCEPTABLE CRITERIA : TABLE 8.3 of AWS D1.1

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APPENDIX C

TESTING ANGLE (Table 8.7 of AWS D1.1)

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TESTING ANGLE

(Table 8.7 of AWS D1.1 Cont.)

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APPENDIX D

UT SCANNING PATTERNS : FIGURE 8.15 OF AWS D1.1