AWS D1.1/D1.

1M:2015
AWS D1.1ID1.1M:2015

Qualification
C-4. Qualification

Part
Part A
A tests are essentially the same as the tests prescribed by
this code. For example, AWS B2.1, Specification
Specification for
General Requirements
General Requirements for
Welding Procedure
Welding and Performance
Procedure and Qualification, as
Performance Qualification
well as the ASME code, may be used in this manner for
qualification of welding personnel. The performance
C-4.2 General qualification tests of other D1 standards, such as D12,
D1.3, D1.4, D1.5, and D1.6, may be used in a similar
C-4.2.1.1 Qualification
C-4.2.1.1 Qualification Responsibility.
Responsibility. All Con-
manner. The Engineer is assigned the responsibility of
tractors g responsible for their final product. Therefore,
determining the acceptability of qualification to other
it is their responsibility to comply with the qualification
standards as there are differences between these stan-
requirements of the code relative to WPSs. For properly
documented WPSs conducted by the Contractor in con-
dards, and such differences may be significant, depending
formance with this code, it is recommended by the code
on the specific structure, or service conditions, or both.
that they be accepted by the Engineer for the contract.

C-4.2.2 Performance
C-4.2.2 Performance Qualification
Qualification ofof Welding
Welding Per-
Per- C-4.3 Common
C-4.3 Common Requirements
Requirements for
for
sonnel. The qualification tests are especially designed to
sonnel.
determine the ability of the welders, welding operators,
WPS and
WPS and Welding Personnel
Welding Personnel
and tack welders to produce sound welds by following a Performance Qualification
Performance Qualification
WPS. The code does not imply that anyone who satisfac- C-4.3.4 Positions
C-4.3.4 Positions of
of Test
Test Welds.
Welds. This subclause
torily completes qualification tests can do the welding defines welding positions for qualification test welds
for which they are qualified for all conditions that might and production welds. Position is an essential variable
be encountered during production welding. It is essential for all of the WPSs, except for the EGW and ESW
that welders, welding operators, and tack welders have processes which are made in only one position. Rela-
some degree of training for these differences. tionships between the position and configuration of the
Ideally, welders, welding operators and tack welders qualification test weld and the type of weld and posi-
welding quenched and tempered high-strength steels tions qualified are shown in Table 4.1. It is essential to
should have experience welding such base metals. In lieu perform testing and evaluation of the welds to be en-
of such experience, the Contractor should ensure that the countered in construction prior to their actual use on the
Contractor's personnel receive instruction and training in job. This will assure that all the necessary positions are
the welding of such steels. It is further recommended that tested as part of the qualification process.
other personnel, such as fitters and thermal cutters (bum-
ers) involved in fabrication utilizing quenched and tempered
high-strength steel be experienced or receive instruction
Part
Part B
B
and training prior to the start of thermal cutting operations.
Welding Procedure
Welding Procedure Specification (WPS)
Specification (WPS)
C-4.2.2.1 Previous
C-4.2.2.1 Previous Performance
Performance Qualification.
Qualification.
Standards other than D1.l have welder and welding 0p-
erator qualification tests that are similar or even identical
C-4.5 Type
C-4.5 Type of
of Qualification
Qualification Tests
Tests
to those required by this standard. This provision allows
the Engineer to accept other qualification tests if in Table 4.2 summarizes the requirements for the number
his/her judgment, the skills measured by these alternate and type of test specimens and the range of thicknesses

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COM MENTARY
COMMENTARY
qualified. A test plate thickness of 1 in [25 mm] or
over qualifies a WPS for unlimited thickness. The 1 in
[25 mm] thickness has been shown to generally reflect
the influence of weld metal chemistry, heat input, and
preheat temperature on the weld metal and HAZ. &
though the term direction 0f rolling
direction of rolling is deemed recom-
mended, the mechanical properties of steel plate may
vary significantly with the direction of rolling and may
affect the test results. For example, tensile strength and
impact toughness are often greater in the longitudinal
direction than in the transverse direction unless cross
rolling is used. Similarly, the rolling direction shown in
the sketches often gives better results in the bend tests.
For some applications, toughness results are required and
the direction of rolling should be referenced on the test
results.
C-4.7 Preparation
C-4.7 Preparation of
of WPS
WPS
The written WPS and PQR may follow any convenient
format (see Annex M for examples).
C-4.8 Essential Variables
This code allows some degree of departure from the vari-
ables used to qualify a WPS. However, departure from
variables which affect the mechanical or chemical com-
position of material properties, or soundness of the weld-
ment i_s allowed without requalification. These latter
variables are referred to as essential variables. The base
metal essential variables are listed in 4.8.3. The welding
process essential variables are listed in 4.8.1. The posi-
tions of test welds are listed in 4.3.4 and 9.12.1. Changes
in these variables beyond the variation allowed by the
subject subclauses require requalification of the WPS.
Similarly, changes beyond those shown in 4.8.2 require
requalification using RT or UT only.
These essential variables are to be specific in the WPS
document and followed in welding fabrication.
Table 4.6 lists the supplementary essential variable re-
quirements for PQR qualification where CVN testing is
required by contract documents. The requirements 0f
Table 4.6 are in addition to the essential variable require-
ments of Table 4.5. The essential variable requirements
of Table 4.5 should be fully met for procedure qualifica-
tion without CVN testing and the essential variables of
Table 4.6 should be fully met to further qualify the PQR
to meet CVN testing requirements. The requirements of
Table 4.6 do not change any of the requirements in Table
4.5. In Table 4.6, the Essential Variable on line 6 elimi-
nates the need for CVN testing in all positions but does
not change the requirements of Table 4.5 regarding
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AWS D1.1/D1.1M:2015
AWS D1.1ID1.1M:2015
welding positions. All WPS qualification requirements
for strength and soundness according to Table 4.5 are
still required.
C-4.8.1 SMAW,
C-4.8.1 SMAW, SAW,
SAW, GMAW,
GMAW, GTAW,
GTAVV, and
and FCAW.
FCAVV.
Travel speed affects heat input, weld cooling rates, and
weld metallurgy, which are important for the HAZ, for
fracture toughness control, and for welding quenched
and tempered steels. Proper selection of travel speed is
also necessary to avoid incomplete fusion and slag
entrapment.
Electrode extension or contact tube to work distance is
an important welding variable which affects the amper-
age as well as the transfer mode. At a set wire feed speed,
using a constant voltage power source, longer electrode
extensions cause the welding current to decrease. This
may reduce weld penetration and heat input and cause
fusion discontinuities. Shorter extension causes an in-
crease in welding current. A variation in electrode exten-
sion may cause a spray transfer t0 change to globular or
short circuiting modes. It is important t0 control elec-
trode extension as well as other welding variables.
Semiautomatic welding processes may be controlled by
using wire feed speed, electrode extension and arc length,
or voltage. For machine operation, electrode extension
may be premeasured; for manual welding, it is visually
estimated. Welding on pipe (or tubing) material product
forms does not necessarily mean that pipe welding is
being performed. There is obviously a difference between
welding around a pipe as opposed t0 welding along a pipe
parallel to the pipe axis (centerline). A girth weld in a butt
joint is completely different from a longitudinal groove
weld that joins rolled plate to make a pipe; a socket joint
with a fillet weld is completely different from a fillet weld
along the pipe length attaching a plate plug. Obviously,
the skills for straight line progression parallel t0 the pipe
axis are n0 different from the skills for welding plate
wrought shapes using a straight line progression; there-
fore, the pipe product form limitation does not apply in
these straight line cases. Refer to Figure C-4. 1.
C-4.9 Methods
C-4.9 Methods of
0f Testing
Testing and
and
Acceptance Criteria for
Acceptance Criteria for
WPS Qualification
WPS Qualification
C-4.9.3.2 Longitudinal
C-4.9.3.2 Longitudinal Bend
Bend Specimens.
Specimens. Provision
has been made in this subclause for longitudinal bend
tests when material combinations differ markedly in
mechanical bending properties.
C-4.9.3.3 Acceptance
C-4.9.3.3 Acceptance Criteria
Criteria for
for Bend
Bend Tests.
Tests. The
new, more definitive wording for bend test acceptance
was added to aid the interpretation of the test results. The
AWS D1.1/D1.1M:2015
AWS D1.1/D1.1M:2015 COM MENTARY
COMMENTARY

purpose of the bend test is to prove the soundness of the B. Where a Contractor has previously qualified a WPS
weld. The statement regarding the total quantity of indi- meeting all the requirements described in Part B of this
cations was added to restrict the accumulative amount of section, the Structural Welding Committee recommends
discontinuities. that the Engineer accept properly documented evidence
of a previous test and not require the test be performed
A maximum limit on tears originating at the corners was
again. Proper documentation means that the Contractor
added to prevent the case where the corner cracks might
has complied with the requirements of Clause 4, Part B,
extend halfway across the specimen, and under the previ-
and the results 0f the qualification tests are recorded on
ous criteria, would be judged acceptable.
appropriate forms such as those found in Annex M.
When used, the form in Annex M should provide appro-
priate information listing all essential variables and the
C-4.11 PJP Groove Welds for results of qualification tests performed.
Nontubular Connections There are general stipulations applicable to any situation.
C-4.11.1 Type
C-4.11.1 Type and
and Number
Number of
of Specimens
Specimens to
to be
be Tested.
Tested. The acceptability of qualification to other standards is
This subclause addresses the requirements for qualifica- the Engineer's responsibility to be exercised based on the
tion of PJP groove welds that require qualification by the specific structures and service conditions. The Structural
Contractor because the joint design and WPS to be used Welding Committee does not address qualification to
in construction do not meet prequalified status as de- any other welding standard.
scribed in 3.1, or a WPS qualified to produce CJP welds
C-4.14.1.3 WPS
C-4.14.1.3 WPS Requirements
Requirements (ESW/EGW).
(ESW/EGVV). The
utilizing a specific joint design is proposed for use as a
welding processes, procedures, and joint details for ESW
P]P weld. The intent is to establish the weld size that will
and EGW are not accorded prequalified status in the
be produced using the joint design and WPS proposed
code. The WPSs are to be established in conformance
for construction. Certain joint designs in combination
with Clause 4. Welding of quenched and tempered steels
with a specific welding process and position may show
with either of these processes is prohibited since the
that the groove preparation planned will not give the de-
high-heat input associated with them has been known to
sired weld size (E).
cause serious deterioration of the mechanical properties
Macroetch test specimens E only required for WPS of the HAZ.
qualifications that meet the requirements of 4.2.2 or
4&3. Additional testing i_s required for those WPS that
fall under the criteria of 4.11.4. These test requirements
are shown in Table 4.3. Part C
Part C
Performance Qualification
Performance Qualification
C-4.12 Fillet Welds for Tubular and
Nontubular Connections C-4.l_5 General
C-4.15 General
C-4.12.1 Type
C-4.12.1 Type and
and Number
Number of
0f Specimens.
Specimens. When sin- The welder qualification test is specifically designed to
gle-pass fillet welds are to be used, one test weld is re- determine a welder’s ability to produce sound welds in
quired as shown in Figures 4.1_5 and Q using the any given test joint. After successfully completing the
maximum size single-pass fillet weld. If multiple-pass welder qualification tests, the welder should be consid-
fillet welds only are used, then one test weld is required, ered to have minimum acceptable qualifications.
as shown in Figures 4.1_5 and Q, using the minimum
size multiple-pass fillet weld to be used. Each of these Knowledge of the material to be welded is beneficial to
tests is presumed to evaluate the most critical situation. the welder in producing a sound weldment; therefore, it
is recommended that before welding quenched and
tempered steels, welders should be given instructions
relative to the properties of this material or have had
C-4.H Welding
C-4.14 Welding Processes
Processes Requiring
Requiring prior experience in welding the particular steel.
Qualification
Qualification
From time to time, the Contractor may upgrade or add
The code does not restrict welding to the prequalified new control equipment. The previously qualified weld-
WPSs described in 3.1. As other WPSs and new ideas ing operator may need training to become familiar with
become available, their use is allowed, provided they are this new equipment. The emphasis is placed on the word
qualified by the requirements described in Clause 4, Part "training" rather than “requalification” since several beads

503
COM MENTARY
COMMENTARY AWS D1.1/D1.1M:2015
AWS D1.1ID1.1M:2015

on a plate or a tube, as appropriate, may be sufficient. C-Table 4.13.

The intention is that the Contractor would train the weld-
ing operator to weld using the new equipment.
C-4.Q Essential Variables
C-4.19
The ability of a welder to produce a sound weld is
considered by the code to be dependent upon certain
essential variables, and these are listed in Table 4.12.
C-Table 4.13. Electrodes for SMAW are grouped rela-
tive to the skill required of the welder. The F Group des-
ignation allows a welder qualified with an electrode of
one group designation to use other electrodes listed in a
numerically lower designation. For example, a welder
qualified with an E6010 electrode will also be qualified
to weld an E6011 electrode, group designation F3 and is
allowed to weld with electrodes having group designa-
tion F2 and F1; the welder is not qualified to weld with
electrodes having a group designation F4.

Note: Pipe
Note: Pipe qualification
qualification i_s not required
is not required and
and plate
plate qualification
qualification
is acceptable
is acceptable for
for groove
groove and
and fillet
fillet welds
welds in
in the
the flat,
flat, horizontal,
horizontal,
vertical, and
vertical, and overhead
overhead positions.
positions.

Figure C-4.1—Type
Figure C-Q—Type of 0f Welding
Welding on
on Pipe
Pipe
That Does Not Require Pipe Qualification
That Does Not Require Pipe Qualification
(see Tables
(see Tables 4.10
4.10 and
and 9.13)
9.13)