Visual weld acceptance criteria for nuclear plants

The detailed examination of the weld acceptance criteria issues was carried out by five architect-engineering firms listed in this paper and by the utilities also listed, all of which have in-house engineering expertise. The resultant document, numbered NCIG-01, offers the potential for substantial reductions in rework and reinspection costs and attendant schedule delays due to misinterpretation of structural welding requirements at nuclear plant construction sites. Attributes covered by NCIG-01 are listed and include: weld cracks; fillet weld size; fusion; weld overlap; underfilled craters; profiles; undercut; surface porosity; weld length and location; arc strikes; and surface slag and weld spatter