Quality Control Checks in Steel Fabrication
Quick Answer
Steel fabrication quality control typically covers material certification checks, dimensional accuracy verification against shop drawings, weld inspection (visual and, for critical joints, non-destructive testing), and coating thickness verification — each intended to catch defects before members leave the fabrication shop rather than after they're erected.
Material and Dimensional Checks
Incoming steel is checked against mill test certificates to confirm it meets the specified grade, and finished members are dimensionally checked against shop drawings — catching a cutting or drilling error in the shop is far cheaper than discovering a misfit member during on-site erection.
Weld Inspection
Visual inspection catches surface-level weld defects (undercut, porosity, incomplete fusion), while critical structural joints may warrant non-destructive testing methods (like ultrasonic or dye-penetrant testing) to check for internal defects that aren't visible from the surface.
Coating Verification
Coating thickness is typically checked with a gauge against the specified dry film thickness — a coating applied too thin won't deliver its rated corrosion protection lifespan, even if it looks adequate visually.