Chapter 3 Welding Joints, Positions, and Symbols 59 3.5.4 Root Opening and Groove Angle The root opening is the space between the pieces at the bottom or root of the joint. Prior to welding, the two pieces to be welded are spaced apart the distance indicated by the root opening. This root opening may be specifi ed on the drawing in metric units, in frac- tions of an inch, or as a single-place decimal of an inch. The root opening size appears inside the weld symbol on the complete welding symbol. The included angle or total angle of a groove weld is shown beyond the weld symbol. See Figure 3-26. When preparing the edges for a V-groove welding, half the groove angle is cut on each piece. When placed together, the combined angles will total the angle shown. Figure 3-24. Comparing welding symbols and actual welds. Phantom lines are not shown on a weld symbol. They are used here, however, to illustrate that the weld symbol is a miniature drawing of the edge shape and the type of weld used. The vertical line in the bevel-groove and fi llet weld symbols is always drawn to the left. Comparison of Welding Symbols and Actual Welds Completed T-joint weld Symbol for T-joint with fillet welds both sides Completed bevel-groove butt joint Symbol for bevel-groove butt joint Completed square-groove butt weld Symbol for square-groove butt joint Figure 3-25. The side of the metal that the arrow touches is the arrow side. Placement of the weld symbol on the welding symbol determines whether the weld will be made on the arrow side or on the other side from the arrow. Placement of Weld Symbols Other side Other side Other side Other side Other side Arrow side Arrow side Arrow side Arrow side Arrow side Arrow side A B C Other side