AWS D1K Subcommittee Revises D1.6 Welding Code for 2017
Aug 25, 2017 04:01 PM
AWSD1.1 Visual Inspection Acceptance Criteria All welds shall be visually inspected and shall be acceptable if the criteria of Table 6.1 AWS D1.1 are satisfied. To more explanation about Visual Inspection Acceptance Criteria you can open AWS D1.1 section 6 (inspection) part C. Everyday Pocket Handbook for Visual Inspection of AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code's Fabrication and Welding Requirements Details This Handbook, serving as a useful tool for inspectors, contains selected pertinent portions of the AWS Structural Welding Code-Steel, D1.1/D1.1M:2004 that can be easily referenced at the job site. AWSD1.1 Visual Inspection Acceptance Criteria All welds shall be visually inspected and shall be acceptable if the criteria of Table 6.1 AWS D1.1 are satisfied. To more explanation about Visual Inspection Acceptance Criteria you can open AWS D1.1 section 6 (inspection) part C. Even though the overall appearance of the welds may meet the visual acceptance criteria, it cannot be assumed that they meet the minimum quality requirements of the code or minimum design requirements specified on the approved drawings. AWS Inspection Requirements The following weld inspection requirements are from AWS D1.1 Section 6 and C-6.1.
A brand new edition of AWS D1.6Structural Welding Code—Stainless Steelis hot off the press! The substantially revised code includes new requirements that address the materials, technologies, and processes that have emerged since the last edition was published in 2007. The AWS D1K Subcommittee on Stainless Steel, which developed the code, also made the 2017 edition more consistent with other AWS standards, clarified clauses that might have led to misinterpretations, and redesigned the layout to make it easier to locate relevant information. The following list includes some the major revisions included in the 2017 edition of AWS D1.6Structural Welding Code—Stainless Steel.Make sure to review a copy of the new code for other changes that may not be covered here. Clause 4:Design of Welded Connections(previously Clause 2) It has been updated and reorganized to reflect AWS D1.1/D1.1M,Structural Welding Code—Steelwhere appropriate and references AISC/SCIDesign Guide 27: Structural Stainless Steel. Clause 5:Prequalificationand Clause 7:Fabrication (previously Clause 3 & 5) Out-of-place subclauses have been placed in the appropriate clause. For example, fabrication requirements were previously located in the Prequalification clause and prequalification requirements were previously located in the Fabrication clause. Flare-V and flare-bevel-groove welded prequalified joint details have been included for ease of interpretation and consistency with AWS D1.1/D1.1M,Structural Welding Code—Steel. These clauses have also been restructured to follow the standard D1 code format and provide a more logical flow. Clause 6:Qualification(previously Clause 4) In the new edition, an individual can now qualify directly to AWS B2.1/B2.1M,Specification for Welding Procedure and Performance Qualification, without approval from the Engineer, all while retaining D1.6 code qualification requirements if the Contractor decides to utilize these. Clause 8Inspection(previously Clause 6) All visual inspection acceptance criteria and NDE personnel qualification requirements have been brought together for ease of use. Visual inspection acceptance criteria were removed from the text and placed in a new Table 8.1, similar to AWS D1.1/D1.1M,Structural Welding Code—Steel. Several errata items, as well as commentary text taken directly from D1.1, were added. Most of the content from Annex E was moved to this clause. Some content from Annexes H and O was also incorporated into Clause 8. Clause 9Stud Welding(Previously Clause 7) Revised to identify numerous improvements already addressed by AWS D1.1/D1.1M,Structural Welding Code—Steel, and AASHTO/AWS D1.5M/D1.5,Bridge Welding Code. The manufacturers’ stud base qualification testing in Annex D was incorporated into this clause. Annexes A and B Revised to parallel AWS D1.1/D1.1M,Structural Welding Code—Steel, and employ fillet weld size terms used in AWS A3.0M/A3.0,Standard Terms and Definitions, and A2.4,Standard Symbols for Welding, Brazing, and Nondestructive Examination. Annex E Most of the information in the old Annex E (2007 edition) was moved to Clause 8 in the 2017 revision. The Annex E in the 2017 edition now lists informative references.
AWS D1.6/D1.6M,Structural Welding Code—Stainless Steel, is currently available at theAWS Bookstore. Members receive a 25% discount on this and other AWS products, so consider joining today. See theAWS Membershipwebpage for more details.
If you have any comments for improvement of AWS D1.6/D1.6M, or are interested in joining the subcommittee responsible for its development, please contact the Secretary of AWS D1K Subcommittee on Stainless Steel, [email protected].
The most widely used welding code in North America, and perhaps the world, is AWS D1.1/D1.1M Structural Welding Code – Steel. It is specified as the quality standard in hundreds of contract documents every year. Yet, we find that less than half of the fabricators that need to use it have a sound understanding of how to follow what the code dictates. The number one reason why fabricators turn to AWS D1.1 is to qualify welding procedures and welders. However, this code contains much more than just details on the qualification process. D1.1 can be an invaluable tool that, when applied correctly, can prove to be a tremendous cost savings tool. The purpose of the code is to assure quality, so it reasons that when applied correctly and consistently the quality of the products you manufacture will increase. As quality increases and rework decreases substantial savings can be realized.
This code provides way more detail that you ever thought was available when it comes to making welds on structural components. Yet, it is extremely hard to follow if you have never been given proper instruction on how to do so. It is definitely possible to pick up the code and teach yourself how to use prequalified welding procedures and how to qualify welding procedures by testing. However, with proper instruction you can avoid costly mistakes that are inevitable when you go it alone. Or, at the very least, you’ll be able to speed up the learning curve.
If you ever have a chance to attend a D1.1 code clinic we encourage you to do so. D1.1 can be used as a basis for developing your own quality standards. As stated above, most of us only think of the welding codes only as instructions for qualifying welders and welding procedures and acceptance criteria for the inspection of welds. Welding codes contain much more than that.
Before you can take advantage of the AWS D1.1 you need to understand what it includes. Below we provide a brief description of each of the 9 clauses.
The 9 Clauses of AWS D1.1 CLAUSES
General Requirements – Provides the scope of the code including material thickness and strength ranges of structural carbon and low alloy steels. Also provides definitions for terms used throughout the code.
Design of Welded Connections – Spells out requirements for the design of tubular and non-tubular structures for both static and cyclic loading. This clause contains a wealth of engineering information that can help you design weldments properly and avoid costly overwelding. It includes information for designing structures for both static and cyclic loading. Need information on calculating allowable stresses? It’s all in this clause.
Understanding how to calculate the allowable strength for a given weld will allow you to design weldments and provide this information for the shop, rather than expect the shop to make engineering decisions such as the proper size of a weld.
Prequalification of WPSs – Provides the requirements that need to be met in order to be exempt from having to perform testing to qualify welding procedures. The use of prequalified welding procedures has many advantages including saving time and money. If you have subscribed to our weekly articles you know that we developed a step-by-step guide on how to follow Clause 3 of AWS D1.1 in order to simplify the development of prequalified welding procedures. There are a lot of requirements that need to be met. They are spelled out in the code, but can be a bit tricky at times. Become very familiar with this clause. It can save you a lot of money by avoiding unnecessary welding procedure qualification tests.
Qualification – Provides the requirements to qualify welding procedures, welders, welding operators and tack welders by testing according to code requirements. When prequalified welding procedures cannot be used then the qualification must be done by testing. This clause spells out all the requirements to qualify your procedures. Also, there is no such thing as prequalified welding performance, so all the qualification for welders must be done by testing according to Clause 4. Qualification of Welding Procedures, Welders and Welding Operators has step-by-step instructions on how to qualify procedures and welders.
This guide provides a proven step-by-step process to properly write prequalified welding procedures in conformance with AWS D1.1. Additionally, it provides step-by-step instructions on how to qualify welding procedures and welders by testing.
Fabrication – Details requirements for base materials, welding consumables and workmanship for the erection of steel structures. If you are welding structural steels you should take this clause and make it your go to when designing products. It contains instructions on many different aspects of fabrication including: storage of consumables, use of fabrication aids, certification of electrodes, ambient temperature restrictions, baking of electrodes, fabricating with weathering steels, preheat and PWHT as well as stress relief heat treatment instructions and many other mandates for proper fabrication of structures.
Inspection – Describes the requirements for qualification and responsibilities of inspectors. Provides proper procedures for inspecting welds visually as well inspection through other non-destructive methods. Clause 6 contains the acceptance criteria for the visual examination of welds for both statically and cyclically loaded connections. It also provide acceptance criteria for other types of nondestructive testing such as ultrasonic inspection (UT) as well as instructions on how to properly inspect welds with these NDE methods.
Aws D1.1 Acceptance Criteria
Stud Welding – Describes requirement for welding studs to structural steel. Stud welding is used extensively in the fabrication and erection of steel structure so there are requirements imposed by the code on this welding process.
Strengthening and Repairing Existing Structures – Provides the requirements for repairing and/or modifying existing structures. When working in accordance to specific welding codes such as D1.1, repairs need to be done according to the instruction approved by the engineer in charge. Repair procedures must be in place and followed. This clause provides information on design for strengthening and repair, fatigue life enhancement, workmanship and technique and quality.
Tubular Structures – Provides additional requirements specific to tubular (pipe and box) structures. In the current of AWS D1.1 (2015) a significant change was made as compared to the previous edition (2010). Everything related to tubular structures (pipe or box) was separated and placed into its own clause – Clause 9. This simplified qualifications by separating tubular and non-tubular connections.
Visual Inspection Products
Clause 9 is basically a stand alone code. It is broken up in 6 parts which mimic the rest of D1.1. The parts in Clause 9 are:
Knowing what AWS D1.1 includes can be very useful as it can help you answer many questions that may arise during fabrication and inspection as well as during the qualification of welding procedures and welders. Also, if you are hoping to become a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) you need to become familiar with codes. You can take part C of the CWI exam on D1.1 or other available codes such as D1.2, D1.5, D15.1, D1.17, API 1104 and ASME Section VIII and IX.
To be a CWI you don’t need to be an expert on a specific code or be able to recall requirements off the top of your head. You simply need to know how to find information on the code books. You may test to D1.1, but your CWI certification allows you to perform the duties of a CWI according to any welding code. The CWI exam tests your ability to use a code with which you are not familiar and properly navigate through it and use it for inspection purposes among other things.