What part of a welding symbol represents the cross-sectional shape of a weld?

The weld symbol serves as the proper representation of the cross-sectional shape of a weld. It is visually placed above or below the reference line in the welding symbol and can depict various weld types, such as fillet, groove, or plug welds. Each shape corresponds to specific welding techniques and is essential for conveying instructions to the welder for the correct application.

Understanding the purpose of the weld symbol is crucial, as it conveys the necessary details about the weld's geometry, which directly influences the strength and integrity of the joint being welded. The clear definition of the weld type depicted ensures that the welder understands how to execute the weld effectively according to the engineering requirements.

While other components like the arrow, reference line, and notation contain important information, they do not represent the cross-sectional shape. The arrow points to the joint where the weld will occur, the reference line organizes the information, and notations provide additional details but not the shape itself. Therefore, recognizing the function of the weld symbol is vital in welding print reading.