Which of the following terms is used to describe welds that fuse through the thickness of a member?

Complete penetration groove welds are defined as welds that meld through the entire thickness of the materials being joined. This type of weld ensures that the maximum strength and integrity are achieved at the joint, making it suitable for applications where the connection must bear significant loads or where structural integrity is crucial.

In a complete penetration groove weld, the molten filler metal fills the joint in such a way that it fully penetrates the thickness of the materials, resulting in a solid bond across the joint. This is especially important in structural applications where the load might be severe and the possibility of stress concentrations must be minimized.

Partial penetration welds, on the other hand, do not fuse through the entire thickness, which limits their strength compared to complete penetration welds. Fillet welds are typically used to join surfaces at right angles and are not designed to penetrate through the entire plate thickness. Edge welds generally connect the edges of two pieces of material and do not fully penetrate through the thickness, which limits their application in load-bearing structures.

Thus, the term that accurately describes welds fusing through the entire thickness of a member is indeed complete penetration groove welds. This distinction is pivotal in understanding the varying types of welds and their appropriate uses in structural applications