Advantages and Disadvantages of Welded Joints over Riveted Joints

There are advantages as well as disadvantages of choosing welded joints over riveted joints. We shouldn’t join all surfaces by either by using welding processes or by using riveted joints. Depending upon need, one need to choose joining method.

Advantages:

1. The welded structures are usually light in weight compared to riveted structures. This is due to the reason, that in welding, gussets or other connecting components are not used.
2. The welded joints provide high efficiency, which is not possible in the case of riveted joints.
3. Alterations and additions can be made easily in the existing structures.
4. Welded structures are smooth in appearance, therefore it looks pleasing.
5. A welded joint has a great strength. Often a welded joint has the strength of the parent metal itself.
6. It is easily possible to weld any part of a structure at any point. But riveting requires enough clearance.
7. The process of making welding joints takes less time than the riveted joints.
8. Shape like cylindrical steel pipes can be easily welded. But they are difficulty for riveting.
9. The welding provides very strong joints. which can’t be bended easily. This is in line with the modern trend of providing rigid frames.
10. In welded connections, the tension members are not weakened as in the case of riveted joints.

Disadvantages:

1. For making weld joints using weld symbols requires a highly skilled labour and supervision.
2. Since there is an uneven heating and cooling in welding process during fabrication, therefore the members may get distorted or additional stresses may develop.
3. Since no provision is kept for expansion and contraction in the frame, therefore there is a possibility of cracks developing in it.
4. The inspection of defects in welding work is more difficult than riveting work.