JSD,
First, I apologize for my first post. My bad week does not need to be taken out on you and it was wrong. Let's start over as far as your question goes.
For any others not understanding, D1.1 calls out 7" plates in Clause 4 when doing welder qualification on limited thickness regardless of side bends or face and root which is the preferred method of most of the CWI's I know and many here on this forum. 5" is the minimum length when doing an unlimited thickness, 1" plate with side bends. Takes less material so you can get by using less material. But I don't recall seeing anywhere that it says you can shorten the 3/8" plates just because you decide to go with the side bends instead of face and root. And if you still aren't following: 1" plate or 3/8" with side bends takes 5/16" per slice for the bend which gives you a 5/16" X 3/8" part to bend for limited and 5/16 X 1" for unlimited whereas the face and root are cut at 1 1/2" so it takes more material.
The area around the part JSD wants opinions on most: undercut. Forget Table 6.1. We are going to Clause 4 at 4.9.1.1 Visual Inspection of Groove Welds which applies to both PQR/WPS and Welder Qual as you are referred back to there from 4.20.1 as there must be a successful visual examination prior to cutting and bending the coupons.
So, in 4.9.1 and paragraph (4) we see no length prerequisite only that undercut shall not exceed 1/32". So, if the theoretical undercut JSD is asking about is 1/32" or less then it is acceptable regardless of length.
Now, at this point though I must ask a question: What is, and where do you find any reference to, "total accumulated discontinuities"? I am totally unfamiliar with this concept.
Porosity of certain sizes is added together to make sure it does not exceed 3/8" within a certain linear length but I don't see that in 4.9.1.1. And, from Table 6.1 you still don't mix your porosity, undercut, overlap, and/or any other discontinuities. Each stands alone with its own requirements.
Undercut is undercut and in the question posed it appears to be acceptable regardless of length. But, if I were the welder, I would not submit a coupon for bending that way. It more than likely won't pass. Fix it, run another plate, whatever it takes.
He Is In Control (though I may not always act like it), Have a Great Day, Brent
The question opens up this question... Is undercut a discontinuity? According to the definition "...an interuption in the typical structure....." then undercut on a bend specimen appears to be a discontinuity.
In reference to bends, D1.1 uses the term "discontinuity" and not a more specific term "open discontinuity" like used in some other codes. That could include those little wrinkles that occur if one was so inclined to follow the code verbatim.
If undercut is a discontinuity and you are doing face or root bends and the undercut doesn't miraculously dissappear (even if it was acceptable before bending) then after you get the bends done, you have a big decision to make.
Cannot tell you what to do but I understand the situation. Maybe a code committee person can make an official interpretation.
Hope this helps and have a great day.
Gerald Austin
Greeneville TN.