TWI Frequently asked questions
It is almost impossible to predict accurately the amount of weld shrinkage. Nevertheless, a 'rule of thumb' has been composed based on the size of the weld deposit. When welding steel, the following allowances should be made to covershrinkage at the assembly stage.
| Transverse shrinkage |
|---|
| Fillet welds | 0.8mm per weld where the leg length does not exceed 3/ 4 plate thickness |
| Butt weld | 1.5 to 3mm per weld for 60° V joint |
| Longitudinal shrinkage |
|---|
| Fillet weld | 0.8mm per 3m of weld |
| Butt weld | 3mm per 3m of weld |
Increasing the leg length of fillet welds, in particular, increases the shrinkage.
Copyright by TWI, 1999
