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 = top plate thickness, in or mm
• h1 = bottom plate thickness (assuming full strength weld), in or mm
• l = top plate length of welds, in or mm
• l1 = bottom plate length of welds, in or mm
• P = total axial force, kip or kN
• σ = stress in weld, psi or MPa