Abstract: A combination of work pieces is provided that includes a first work piece having a stepped end preparation with a first step and a second step, and a second work piece having a beveled end preparation. The first step is located at an end of the work piece and the second step is set away longitudinally from the end. A weld joint is provided having a joint groove with a lower face formed by a stepped end preparation, such as that of the first work piece, and an upper face formed by a beveled end preparation, such as that of the second work piece. A method for welding a first work piece to a second work piece is also provided. Preferably, in the weld joint and welding method, the first and second work pieces are in a vertically-extended (2G) arrangement.