This is a “community input” comment on the Bridge Structure UML Document, as requested before the deadline of August 31, 2005.

Documents: BDA-UML20050408jad.pdf, “Bridge Structures UML Model”, and using as a reference Draft Virtis/Opis Application Program Interface, Documentation - August 2002. 

This comment concerns uses of the object IDoWeldDef.  This entity is noted as “from ABOBRDG”.  The Virtis/Opis API Document lists:

“Category Description: Weld

TYP_WELD_WLDBUT 28001 Butt Weld

TYP_WELD_WLDFLT 28002 Fillet Wld”

According to AWS A3.0:2001, Standard Welding Terms and Definitions, Butt is a joint type, and Fillet is a weld type.  That is, joint type and weld type, are two different characteristics of a welded connection.  Joint type indicates “…relative orientation of the members being joined..”, and weld type indicates details of edge preparation and weld geometry.   Further, commentary “C2.1.1 Design of Welded Connections”, in the AAASHTO/AWS D1.5:2002 Bridge Welding Code, discusses weld design.  To quote it, “The Engineer is encouraged not to detail specific groove weld details for routine welds, but to simply specify the joint penetration (CJP or PJP weld), joint type and weld size as necessary.”

By the way,  AWS lists subtypes as follows:

jointType { butt, corner, edge, lap, and T-}

weldType {groove, fillet, plug, slot, spot, seam, flange, stud, …..}, including consideration of single-sided or double-sided welding.

Summary of Comment: The UML model may benefit from a revised definition of DOWeldDef that shows a further expansion to, at least, jointType and weldType.  A third type to be considered for expansion of the DOWeldDef may be penetrationType.  The current definition of the Weld Category in Virtis/Opis API, contains two entries (Butt Weld and Fillet Weld)  that seem to be dissimilar quantities.