Weld defect levels in site construction and the effectiveness of conventional NDT techniques

The paper concerns an analysis of different types of site fabrication in respect of the non-destructive testing (NDT) inspection practice; in this case it was principally radiography. A description is given of the projects studied, which included tanks and vessels. The welding methods were different in each case, as were the technical requirements of the welding. The results of the analysis and their significance were discussed with respect to: i) number, type and distribution of defects, ii) cost of NDT operations, iii) effect of specified quality requirements, and iv) economic justification for advanced mechanical welding systems. (UK)