Metric and Imperial Units

The above welding stress equations may be used with both imperial and metric units. As with all mathematical calculations care must be taken to keep consistent units throughout. Examples of units which could be adopted have been provided below:

Notation

• h = plate thickness, in or mm
• l = length of welds, in or mm
• L = length of lever arm, in or mm
• P = total axial force, kip or kN
• σ = normal stress in weld, psi or MPa
• τ = shear stress, psi or MPa