Strength is not the only metric for structural integrity

Why Don’t Engineers Just Weld Everything? Bolts vs. Welding · 8:10 · Video: History of Simple Things · Watch at the source

In short: If welding creates such permanent metal bonds, why do we still rely on bolts? This video explores the engineering trade-offs between these two methods and explains why specific functional requirements dictate our choice of construction.

The decision to use bolts over welding depends less on raw strength and more on the specific role a connection must play in a structure. While welding became a cornerstone of industrialization, it is not a universal solution for every engineering problem.

Bolts remain indispensable across diverse applications, including automobiles, heavy machinery, bridges, and buildings. The choice between these methods involves balancing permanent fusion against the need for assembly, maintenance, and specific mechanical behaviors.

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