Weld failure - Not cycle related

[PK99]

Just posting here on the off chance that there may be someone who can advise...

Picture below shows a failed gate hinge. Post is cast iron. Hinge pin unknown.

Hinge failure deposited gate on MrsPK's foot causing serious injury.

Insurer of gate owner is playing hardball.

Does the weld look dodgy? To my amateur eye yes but ias there anyone here with the professional knowledge to advise?

Pic taken 2/3 hours after weld failure.

Edit. Gate and post constructed in 2014

 

[Drago]

Looks to me more like the weld has pulled a chunk of metal off the post?

What's the insurers problem? They cover the gate, the gate dropped on someone's foot, they pay up...surely?

 

[classic33]

Machine weld, did the lower one give at the same time?

If you look there was very little hold on the topside of the weld.

 

[PK99]

Machine weld, did the lower one give at the same time?

Yes looks identical.

 

[PK99]

Looks to me more like the weld has pulled a chunk of metal off the post?

What's the insurers problem? They cover the gate, the gate dropped on someone's foot, they pay up...surely?

As I say.they are playing hardball and denying liability.

 

[Slick]

You should probably have a look at this link for a bit of guidance to help you.

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-gb/support/welding-how-to/Pages/welding-cast-iron-detail.aspx

 

[Drago]

As I say.they are playing hardball and denying liability.

Sorry to hear that. Sue the owner then. Presumably they don't have a record of periodic inspections, so are thus unable to prove they have taken all reasonable steps to protect the public/visitors?

 

[sight-pin]

Needs mig welding for best results if the post is cast iron, Normal arc welding doesn't always work well with cast iron.

 

[classic33]

Yes looks identical.

Either never properly done, or else it's been going for a while. There's rust behind the weld.(Left-hand side).

 

[classic33]

As I say.they are playing hardball and denying liability.

Who actually owns the gate?
It's normally a boundary marker, which might explain them denying liabilty.

 

[PK99]

Who actually owns the gate?
It's normally a boundary marker, which might explain them denying liabilty.

Next door neighbour! It is front driveway gate ie very big and very heavy.

Among other things they are claiming hight quality construction.

 

[classic33]

Needs mig welding for best results if the post is cast iron, Normal arc welding doesn't always work well with cast iron.

Guess that the post and gate frame are the same type of iron. Cast iron is seldom used these days.

 

[sight-pin]

Guess that the post and gate frame are the same type of iron. Cast iron is seldom used these days.

I would of thought the post is steel, the same as the hinge plate, but i was just going by the OP's post where he mentioned the post is of "cast iron"

 

[sight-pin]

I would think, Seeing as the the weld is still attached to the hinge plate, the weld has either rusted away from the post or the weld didn't fully take to the post when constructed.

 

[PK99]

Guess that the post and gate frame are the same type of iron. Cast iron is seldom used these days.

Cast iron replica of traditional gateposts used in conservation area.

Original posts are 3 sided with internal wooden post. Hinges are bolted through both and do not rely on a weld. Replica is 4 sided hence welded hinge support.