Weld damming and backing

A method of welding a workpiece, the workpiece including a first section, a second section, and an open root between the first and second sections, the method comprising:

• positioning opposing edges of the first and second sections adjacent each other, the opposing edges at least partially forming a bottom of the open root;
• backing bottom surfaces of the first and second sections with a weld backer comprised of silicon dioxide in order to prevent molten metal from flowing below the bottom surfaces in a vertical direction;
• welding the first and second sections together in a weld direction along the opposing edges;
• and
• removing the weld backer to expose the bottom surfaces.

A weld environment, comprising:

• an abutment robot configured to abut one or more of a terminal end with a weld dam and a back surface with a weld backer of a workpiece, the workpiece comprising a first section and a second section;
• and
• a weld robot configured to weld together the first and second sections along a weld groove;
• wherein the weld dam and weld backer are comprised of silicon dioxide.