There are two broad categories of testing:
- a. Development testing, and
- b. Production testing.
During development testing an exhaustive set of tests is recommended, dependent on the type of joint and its application. The general aim of development testing is to confirm the understanding of how the joint works (e.g. to confirm the theory applied for its design). Development testing also includes long- term effects such as creep, corrosion and fatigue.
Production testing is much more restrictive and can include every joint or be limited to testing of samples. The objective is to determine whether the joint has been manufactured and assembled correctly, and made from the correct materials. It is important that the amount of production testing is dependent on how great the risk of failure is.