For which of the following welds are the welding symbols offset from each other?

For which of the following welds are the welding symbols offset from each other?

• A. A staggered intermittent weld
• B. A chain intermittent weld
• C. A weld at the end of the base metal
• D. A weld in the middle and at the end of the base metal

Answer: (A)

Staggered intermittent welds show their individual beads at different positions along the joint, so the welding symbols on the drawing are offset from each other to indicate this non‑uniform spacing. This arrangement distributes heat input and distortion more evenly, reducing stress concentrations and helping to keep the joint strong while using less filler metal than a continuous weld. If the welds were in a chain along the seam, the symbols would sit in a straight line with regular spacing, not offset. A weld at the end of the base metal or a combination of end and middle ends would be indicated differently and doesn’t represent the alternating spacing that the term staggered implies.

Staggered intermittent welds show their individual beads at different positions along the joint, so the welding symbols on the drawing are offset from each other to indicate this non‑uniform spacing. This arrangement distributes heat input and distortion more evenly, reducing stress concentrations and helping to keep the joint strong while using less filler metal than a continuous weld.

If the welds were in a chain along the seam, the symbols would sit in a straight line with regular spacing, not offset. A weld at the end of the base metal or a combination of end and middle ends would be indicated differently and doesn’t represent the alternating spacing that the term staggered implies.