What is the purpose of a weld map?

• A. They provide traceability of welds, process, and inspection results
• B. They schedule shift rotations
• C. They track energy consumption
• D. They correlate welding to color codes

Answer: (A)

Weld maps are used to create a traceable record of every weld on a structure, linking each weld to how it was made and how it was inspected. This means the map shows where each weld is located, which welding process and filler metal were used, and references to the welding procedure and any inspection or nondestructive testing results. With this information, you can verify that every weld was made to the correct specifications, track its inspection status, and easily retrieve the history for quality control, maintenance, or audits. It isn’t about scheduling shifts, monitoring energy use, or matching welds to color codes, which is why those options don’t fit the purpose of a weld map.