Welding of Historic Structural Wrought Iron

Abstract

A research program directed at the study of welding historic wrought iron using modern welding methods has been conducted over the last several years at the University of Colorado Denver. Shielded metal arc welding methods have been developed for welding structural wrought iron material obtained from historic bridges. Wrought iron is distinguished from modern structural steel for which many welding procedures exist. Parametric studies of multiple end preparation geometries and preheat temperatures have been conducted to ascertain an optimum procedure for a full-penetration groove weld. Tensile tests have been conducted on welded material at room temperature and Charpy V-notch tests have been conducted on welded material at low temperatures.