Straightening

Procedure

DOC NO : EMI-QP-S09
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STRAIGHTENING PROCEDURE
STRUCTURAL STEELWORK FABRICATION

Document No EMI-QP-S09

24/06/11

REV

DATE

For Client Approval

DESCRIPTION

HTM
PREP'D

CHK'D

APP'D

Straightening
Procedure

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1. General
Flame straightening is used for correcting deformations which occur in welded
constructions. Shrinkage in the weld itself and the surrounding material due to cooling
occurs in all welding. Shrinkage causes deformation and buckling in the surrounding
plate, even at some distance from the welds. Deformation can also stem from thermal
stresses created by rolling or thermal cutting. The extent of the deformation is largely
dependent on how welding is executed. Distortions are especially visible on painted or
lacquered surfaces. It is usually impossible to stretch areas that have shrunk due to
welding. One solution is to attempt to shrink the over-extended areas, a job for which
flame straightening has proved to be suitable. Flame straightening is particularly
convenient since no equipment other than a blowpipe is normally required. The operator
however, must be well aware of how the workpiece will react to heating and how
shrinkage forces can best be utilised for straightening. In contrast to mechanical
straightening, the results of flame straightening are not evident until the structure has
cooled.

2. Principle
The principle of flame straightening is based on using the hottest flame possible
(Preferably Oxy/Acetylene) for rapid heating of a limited portion of plate to a temperature
of approx. 600 degrees Centigrade, at which point the plasticity of the steel has been
substantially increased. Since the surrounding material remains cold, the heated parts
will be restrained during the heating and upset so that the excessively long parts will
shorten during cooling. The plate may also be restrained by external means such as
clamps or loads.

Straightening
Procedure

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When heat straightening or heat curving methods are used, the maximum temperature of
heated areas as measured using temperature sensitive crayons or other positive means
shall not exceed 1100F [600C] for quenched and tempered steel, or 1200F [650C] for
other steels.
Accelerated cooling of steel above 600F [315C] shall be prohibited.

3. Straightening procedure
3.1.

Make sure that the material is carbon and carbon manganese steel (low
strength) C < 0.26%.

3.2.

Use material traceability to check.

3.3.

Checking deviations of profile's bending

Check with drawing requirements

3.4.

Analyst which point should be applied by flame heat, put mark and ask
approval from QC authorities

3.5.

Apply the flame heat to the appointed location until the temperature
reaches 500 C - 650 C using a torch Burner ( Oxy / acetylene )
( reff : AS1554.1 sec.B4, 1994-ES-404 Sec.8.2, AWSD1.7 Table 7.1, AWSD1.1 sec.8,
1994-ES-503 Sec.14.3, AS4458-1997 Table 14.1, AS1554.1 sec. 5.7.4 )

3.6.

Always

check

temperature

by

temperature

sensitive

crayons

(chalk

temperature) .Do not allow temperature more than 650 C .Heat measurements
should be made between 5 seconds and 10 seconds after the heating flame has
been removed from the steel. When checking temperature by sensitive crayon,
QC person should be withness
( reff : AWSD1.7 sec 7.3.5.2, AWSD1.1 sec.8)

Straightening
Procedure
3.7.

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Let the material stay cooled for several minutes ( 20 40 minutes ) until its
temperature below 320 C
( reff : AWSD1.7 sec 7.3.5.3, AWSD1.1 sec.8)

3.8.

Check temperature by sensitive crayon to make sure the temperature is below

320 C, if necessary cooling with mist water, water spray or with combination of
water and air should be allowed
( reff : AWSD1.7 sec 7.3.5.3, AS4458 sec.11.8 )

3.9.

Check result dimension with original drawing requirements

3.10.

Take approval from QC to verified the dimension result

3.11.

If necessary reheat should be allowed when the temperature is below 120 C

( reff : Steel wise_the road to repair ).

3.12.

Before reheat check with sensitive crayon temperature to make sure the material
temperature below 120 C

3.13.

Ask QC for Authorisation before doing the reheating

3.14.

Repeat step 3

4. Quality Control
The Contractor shall provide all the facilities necessary to ensure preparation and
application of straightening. All workmen shall at all times be under the supervision of an
experienced supervisor.
As part of a QA/QC program, the above conditions should be monitored and if needed,
recorded.

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Procedure

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APPENDIX A : RELATED DOCUMENTS

Unless specified otherwise, the latest issues of the following documents shall be deemed to
form part of this specification:
AS1554.1 Australian Standard Structural Steel Welding
AS4458 Australian Standard Manufacture of pressure vessels
1267-SS-001 Structural Specification For Structural Steelwork Fabrication
AWSD1.1 Structural Welding Code Steel
AWSD1.7 Guide for Strengthening and Repairing Existing Structure