North Carolina Building Contractor License Practice Exam

What is the minimum percentage of yield strength required for welded splices to develop in tension?

1. 80%

2. 90%

3. 100%

4. 125%

The correct answer is: 125%

The correct option is based on industry standards that dictate how welded splices should be designed to ensure their reliability and safety under tension loads. For a welded splice to effectively develop its full potential in tension, it is generally required to achieve a minimum of 125% of the yield strength of the materials being joined. This ensures that the splice can accommodate unexpected stress loads and material inconsistencies, providing a safety margin in construction practices. This adherence to a higher percentage of yield strength for welded splices is crucial especially in structural applications, as it guarantees that the welded connection is robust enough to handle not just the anticipated loads, but also any dynamic loads or variations that might occur over the lifespan of the structure. Thus, designing splices to meet or exceed this 125% standard is a fundamental requirement in many building codes and engineering practices to ensure structural integrity and safety.