Structural Welding Code—Steel

1 AWS ScopeThis code contains the requirements for fabricatingand erecting welded steel structures. When this code isstipulated in contract documents, conformance with allprovisions of the code shall be required, except for thoseprovisions that the Engineer (see ) or contract docu-ments specifically modifies or following is a summary of the code sections:1. General Requirements. This section containsbasic information on the scope and limitations of thecode, key definitions, and the major responsibilities ofthe parties involved with steel Design of Welded Connections. This section con-tains requirements for the design of welded connectionscomposed of tubular, or nontubular, product Prequalification.

2 This section contains the re-quirements for exempting a WPS ( Welding ProcedureSpecification) from the WPS qualification requirementsof this Qualification. This section contains the require-ments for WPS qualification and the qualification testsrequired to be passed by all Welding personnel (welders, Welding operators, and tack welders) to perform weldingin accordance with this Fabrication. This section contains general fabrica-tion and erection requirements applicable to welded steelstructures governed by this code, including the require-ments for base metals, Welding consumables, weldingtechnique, welded details, material preparation and assem-bly, workmanship, weld repair, and other Inspection.

3 This section contains criteria for thequalifications and responsibilities of inspectors, accep-tance criteria for production welds, and standard pro-cedures for performing visual inspection and NDT(nondestructive testing).7. Stud Welding . This section contains the require-ment for the Welding of studs to Structural Strengthening and Repair of Existing Struc-tures. This section contains basic information pertinentto the welded modification or repair of existing LimitationsThe code is not intended to be used for the following:(1) Steels with a minimum specified yield strengthgreater than 100 ksi [690 MPa](2) Steels less than 1/8 in.

4 [3 mm] thick. When basemetals thinner than 1/8 in. [3 mm] thick are to be welded,the requirements of AWS , Structural WeldingCode Sheet Steel, should apply. When used in conjunc-tion with AWS , conformance with the applicableprovisions of this code shall be required.(3) Pressure vessels or pressure piping(4) Base metals other than carbon or low-alloy , Structural Welding Code Stainless Steel,should be used for Welding stainless steel structures. When-ever contract documents specify AWS for weldingstainless steel, the requirements of AWS should DefinitionsThe Welding terms used in this code shall be inter-preted in conformance with the definitions given in thelatest edition of AWS , Standard Welding Termsand Definitions, supplemented by Annex K of this codeand the following Engineer.

5 Engineer shall be defined as a dulydesignated individual who acts for, and in behalf of, theOwner on all matters within the scope of the Contractor. Contractor shall be defined as anycompany, or that individual representing a company,1. General RequirementsStructural Welding Code SteelSECTION 1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTSAWS :20062responsible for the fabrication, erection, manufacturing, orwelding, in conformance with the provisions of this Contractor s Inspector. Contractor s In-spector shall be defined as the duly designated personwho acts for, and in behalf of, the Contractor on allinspection and quality matters within the scope of thecode and of the contract Verification Inspector.

6 Verification Inspec-tor shall be defined as the duly designated person whoacts for, and in behalf of, the Owner or Engineer on allinspection and quality matters specified by the Inspector(s) (unmodified). When the term Inspector is used without further qualification as thespecific Inspector category described above, it appliesequally to the Contractor s Inspector and the VerificationInspector within the limits of responsibility described OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). OEM shall be defined as that single Contractor thatassumes some or all of the responsibilities assigned bythis code to the Owner. Owner shall be defined as the individualor company that exercises legal ownership of the productor Structural assembly produced under this Code Terms Shall, Should, and May.

7 Shall, should, and may have the following Shall. Code provisions that use shall aremandatory unless specifically modified in contract docu-ments by the Should. The word should is used to recom-mend practices that are considered beneficial, but are May. The word may in a provision allowsthe use of optional procedures or practices that can beused as an alternative or supplement to code require-ments. Those optional procedures that require theEngineer s approval shall either be specified in the con-tract documents, or require the Engineer s approval. TheContractor may use any option without the Engineer sapproval when the code does not specify that the Engi-neer s approval shall be Engineer s Responsibilities.

8 The Engineer shallbe responsible for the development of the contract docu-ments that govern products or Structural assemblies pro-duced under this code. The Engineer may add to, deletefrom, or otherwise modify, the requirements of this codeto meet the particular requirements of a specific struc-ture. All requirements that modify this code shall be in-corporated into contract documents. The Engineer shalldetermine the suitability of all joint details to be used in awelded Engineer shall specify in contract documents, asnecessary, and as applicable, the following:(1) Code requirements that are applicable only whenspecified by the Engineer.(2) All additional NDT that is not specifically ad-dressed in the code.

9 (3) Verification inspection, when required by theEngineer.(4) Weld acceptance criteria other than that specifiedin Section 6.(5) CVN toughness criteria for weld metal, basemetal, and/or HAZ when required.(6) For nontubular applications, whether the structureis statically or cyclically loaded.(7) All additional requirements that are not specifi-cally addressed in the code.(8) For OEM applications, the responsibilities of theparties Contractor s Responsibilities. The Contractorshall be responsible for WPSs, qualification of weldingpersonnel, the Contractor s inspection, and performingwork in conformance with the requirements of this codeand contract Inspector s Contractor Inspection.

10 Contractor inspectionshall be supplied by the Contractor and shall beperformed as necessary to ensure that materials andworkmanship meet the requirements of the Verification Inspection. The Engineer shalldetermine if Verification Inspection shall be for Verification Inspection shall beestablished between the Engineer and the ApprovalAll references to the need for approval shall be inter-preted to mean approval by the Authority having Juris-diction or the :2006 SECTION 1. GENERAL Welding SymbolsWelding symbols shall be those shown in the latestedition of AWS , Symbols for Welding , Brazing,and Nondestructive Examination.