What is the primary inspection method for ensuring the integrity of welded connections in structural steel?

Visual inspection is the primary method for ensuring the integrity of welded connections in structural steel due to its simplicity, speed, and cost-effectiveness. It allows inspectors to quickly assess the appearance of welds, checking for obvious defects such as cracks, undercuts, lack of fusion, or excessive spatter. This method can provide immediate feedback and is often the first line of defense in quality assurance processes.

While other inspection methods such as magnetic particle inspection, ultrasonic testing, and radiographic testing are valuable and used for more detailed assessments, they are typically employed when more in-depth evaluation is required, such as for detecting subsurface issues, non-visible defects, or when the visual inspection raises concerns. Visual inspections are usually performed first to establish a baseline before any further, more complex testing is initiated.