Which welding method is commonly used in the fabrication of structural steel?

The commonly used welding method in the fabrication of structural steel is arc welding. This technique is widely favored in the construction of steel structures due to its versatility, efficiency, and ability to produce strong, reliable welds. Arc welding employs an electric arc to generate heat, melting the base metal and filler material to create a bond.

One primary reason for the popularity of arc welding in structural applications is that it can be performed in various positions, which is crucial for the diverse environments found in construction sites. It also allows for the use of a variety of electrode types and welding processes, such as Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), and Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW), each offering different advantages depending on the specific requirements of the task.

In contrast, gas welding and other methods like laser welding and electron beam welding have more limited applications in structural fabrication. Gas welding is generally less common for structural steel due to its slower speed and lower heat input, which may not be efficient for thicker materials. Laser welding and electron beam welding are more specialized, often used in high-precision applications and can be costly, making them less suitable for the general purposes of structural steel fabrication compared to the efficiency