Electroslag Welding Applications for Steel Building Construction in Japan: A State-of-the-Art Review

Electroslag welding (ESW) is advantageous for the improvement of the efficiency of welding thick steel plates, and the application of ESW has been gradually spreading to civil structures such as steel bridges and steel building structures. This paper presents a review of state-of-the-art ESW application for steel building structures in Japan. A brief history of the development of ESW technology, which involves the installation of interior diaphragm plates in welded built-up box columns for high-rise steel buildings, is first introduced, followed by a recent recommendation for the design and fabrication of ESW joints to prevent brittle fracture under earthquake loading.