Hi Everyone. This is my first post, and I am not a welder. I have taken a Mig and Tig class in college but that's about it.
At work, I have a job that's requiring us to weld 1x2x1/16 tubes to 3/8" steel plates. These will be welded on walls and ceilings. The purpose of the tubes is to give something to mount 2" rubber tiles to, via screws. Each tile weighs about 40lbs and the tubes are 25ft long. Each rubber tile will mount to 2 tubes. My thought is that this is essentially zero force on the tubes.
Right now, we are using a 2" weld every 12" on top and bottom on the tubes. There is no math behind this, just went with enough weld to know we're safe.
My question is, how do I determine the amount of weld that I really do need? Any amount of weld that is over what's necessary is extra labor and money.