Butte College

Course Outline

2026-2027 Catalog

WLD 55 - Power Generation and Petroleum Chemical Pipe & Tube Welding

Catalog Description

Transfer Status
CSU
Prerequisite
WLD 22, WLD 24, WLD 25, WLD 26, WLD 28, WLD 30, WLD 32, WLD 34, WLD 36, WLD 40, WLD 42 and WLD 50, WLD 56 and NCCER Level III Welding Qualification
Corequisite
WLD 158
Unit(s)
5.00
  • Lecture: 17.00 Contact hours/34.00 Out of class hours/51.00 Total hours/1.00 Unit(s)
  • Lab: 204.00 Contact hours/0.00 Out of class hours/204.00 Total hours/4.00 Unit(s)
  • Total: 221.00 Contact hours/34.00 Out of class hours/255.00 Total hours/5.00 Unit(s)

Course Description: This course teaches shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), flux core arc welding (FCAW), gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), oxyacetylene welding (OAW), and oxy-fuel cutting (OFC)processes on several piping systems. A variety of materials and configurations on sub-critical pipe welding to include pressure and power systems, cross-country transmission, water transmission and pipeline welding will be studied. Special attention and performance to the American Petroleum Institute (API) 1104 and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Section IX code specifications for certification will be practiced. Intense training in pipe fitting, measurements, marking and layout tools used in the pipe welding industry will be stressed. Techniques of layout, cutting, fitting, and welding of various pipe joint designs will be performed.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Correctly utilize the tools used in pipe layout and fitting.
  2. Layout various pipe joint designs.
  3. Cut, prepare, and weld various pipe joint designs.
  4. Layout and cut eccentric and concentric reducers.
  5. Apply qualification procedures of the API and ASME for certification.
  6. Follow procedures using the OAW, SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, and GTAW welding processees meeting API and ASME specifications for qualification of welding procedures and the welder

Course Content

Topic Titles / Suggested Time Topic

Lecture

Lecture topics and suggested hours
TopicsLec Hrs
Introduction and safety0.50
Definitions (terms used in the pipe trade)0.50
Basic trade math1.00
Measurements1.00

Applications of welded pipe, tube and joint preparation

1.00
Tools used in industry1.00
Standards and tests for welded pipe and tube1.00
Pipe and tube test positions1.00
Welder and weld procedure qualifications1.00
API and ASME welding codes for qualifying tests1.00
Pipe and fitting layouts1.00
Cutting and welding of large diameter pipe1.00
Welding the root, hot pass, fill passes, and cover passes1.00
Welding thin wall pipe1.00
Welding in the 2G position1.00
Welding in the 5G position1.00
Welding in the 6G and complicated 6GR position1.00
Pipe welding defects1.00
Total Hours:17.00

Lab

Lab topics and suggested hours
TopicsLab Hrs
Introduction and safety15.00
Definitions (terms used in the pipe trade)1.00
Basic trade math10.00
Measurements4.00
Applications of welded pipe, tube and joint preparation20.00
Tools used in industry4.00
Standards and tests for welded pipe and tube10.00
Pipe and tube test positions20.00
Welder and weld procedure qualifications10.00
API and ASME welding codes for qualifying tests10.00
Pipe and fitting layouts15.00
Cutting and welding of large diameter pipe20.00
Welding the root, hot pass, fill passes, and cover passes10.00
Welding thin wall pipe15.00
Welding in the 2G position5.00
Welding in the 5G position15.00
Welding in the 6G and complicated 6GR position10.00
Pipe welding defects10.00
Total Hours:204.00

Methods of Instruction

  1. Discussion
  2. Guest Speakers
  3. Homework: Students are required to complete two hours of outside-of-class homework for each hour of lecture
  4. Instructor Demonstrations
  5. Lecture
  6. Multimedia Presentations

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Exams/Tests
  2. Quizzes
  3. Homework
  4. Lab Projects
  5. Lab Mid-term Project, Lab Final Project

Examples of Assignments

Reading Assignments

  1. Read module 1 and be prepared to discuss in class.
  2. Read assigned AWS journal article and be prepared to discuss in class.

Writing Assignments

  1. Write an essay explaining how the above United Association article can be implemented into the process and how it relates to the class.
  2. Describe an order of operations for laying out a branch assembly.

Out-of-Class Assignments

  1. Research the proper process for setting up OAW equipment using manufactures publication.
  2. Answer review questions for module 3.

Recommended Materials of Instruction

Frankland, T. (1984). The Pipe Fitter's and Pipe Welder's Handbook. GLENCOE - McGraw-Hill.

Frankland, T. (1967). Pipe Template Layout. GLENCOE - Macmillan/McGraw-Hill.

Turns, Tube Inc. (1989). Pipe Fitter's Manual. Tube Turns Inc..

National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). (2010). Welding Level Three Advanced. Pearson Education, 4th.

Other Learning Materials

All tools listed in the Butte College Welding Technology Program Guide.

Minimum Qualifications

Welding