From information supplied by the manufacturers of shielding gas, it has been determined that a dew point of -40°F [-40°C] is a practical upper limit providing adequate moisture protection. A dew point of -40°F [-40°C] converts to approximately 128 parts per million (ppm) by volume of water vapor or about 0.01% available moisture. This moisture content appears very low but, when dissociated at welding temperatures, could contribute hydrogen to that already associated with the electrode. Therefore, it is mandatory to have -40°F [-40°C] or lower dew point in shielding gas. Shielding gas purchased as certified to AWS A5.32 meets this requirement.

AWS D1.1-2015: Structural Welding Code-Steel
Commentary
C-5. Fabrication
C-5.3 Welding Consumables and Electrode Requirements
C-5.3.1.3 Shielding Gas

Welder or welding operator qualification tests shall use the following details:

(1) CJP groove butt joints with backing or backgouging in pipe. Use Figure 9.22(B)
(2) CJP groove butt joints without backing or backgouging. Use Figure 9.22(A).
(3) CJP groove butt joints or T-, Y-, and K-connections with backing in box tubing. Use Figure 9.22(B) in pipe (any diameter), plate or box tubing.
(4) CJP groove T-, Y-, and K-Connections welded from one wide with backing in pipe. Use Figure 9.22(B) in pipe of the appropriate diameter.
(5) CJP groove T-, Y-, and K-connections welded from one side without backing in pipe. Use Figure 9.25 for nominal pipe diameter of >/= 6 in. [150 mm] or Figure 9.26 for nominal pipe </= 4 in. [100 mm].
(6) CJP groove T-, Y-, and K-connection welded from one side without backing or backgouging in box tubing. The options are the following:
-(a) Figure 9.25 in pipe (any diameter) or box tubing plus Figure 9.27 in box tubing.
-(b) Figure 9.25 in box tubing with macroetch specimens removed from the locations shown in Figure 9.27.
See Table 9.14 for the production ranges of diameter and thickness qualified by the test assembly diameters and thicknesses.

AWS D1.1-2015: Structural Welding Code-Steel
9. Tubular Structures
9.19 CJP Groove Welds for Tubular Connections
Figure 9.22 - Tubular Butt Joint - Welder Qualification with and without backing (see 9.19)

All welds shall be classified as flat (F), horizontal (H), vertical (V) and overhead (OH), in accordance with the definitions shown in Figures 4.1 and 4.2.
Test assembly positions are shown in:
(1) Figure 9.17 (groove welds in pipe or tubing)
(2) Figure 9.18 (fillet welds in pipe or tubing)

AWS D1.1-2015: Structural Welding Code-Steel
9. Tubular Structures
9.12 Common Requirements for WPS and Welding Personnel Performance Qualification
9.12.1 Positions of Welds
Figure 9.17 - Positions of Test Pipe or Tubing for Groove Welds (see 9.12.1)

In addition to visual examination, the test shall consist of bending the studs after they are allowed to cool, to an angle of approximately 30° from their original axes by either striking the studs with a hammer on the unwelded end or placing a pipe or other suitable hollow device over the stud and manually or mechanically bending the stud. At temperatures below 50°F [10°C], bending shall preferably be done by continuous slow application of load. For threaded studs, the torque test of Figure 7.3 shall be substituted for the bend test.

AWS D1.1-2015: Structural Welding Code-Steel
7. Stud Welding
7.7 Production Control
7.7.1 Pre-Production Testing
7.7.1.4 Bend Test.

Edge blocks shall be used when radiographing butt joints greater than 1/2 in. [12 mm] thickness. The edge blocks shall have a length sufficient to extend beyond each side of the weld centerline for a minimum distance equal to the weld thickness, but no less than 2 in. [50 mm], and shall have a thickness equal to or greater than the thickness of the weld. The minimum width of the edge blocks shall be equal to half the weld thickness, but not less than 1 in. [25 mm]. The edge blocks shall be centered on the weld against the plate being radiographed, allowing no more than 1/16 in. [2 mm] gap for the minimum specified length of the edge blocks. Edge blocks shall be made of radiographically clean steel and the surface shall have a finish of ANSI 125 μin. [3 μm] or smoother (see Figure 6.10).

AWS D1.1-2015: Structural Welding Code-Steel
6. Inspection
6.17 RT Procedures
6.17.13 Edge Blocks.

(A) For material less than 1 in [25 mm] thick, undercut shall not exceed 1/32 in [1 mm], with the following exception: undercut shall not exceed 1/16 in [2 mm] for any accumulated length up to 2 in [50 mm] in any 12 in [300 mm]. For material equal to or greater than 1 in [25 mm] thick, undercut shall not exceed 1/16 in [2 mm] for any length of weld.

AWS D1.1-2015: Structural Welding Code-Steel
6. Inspection
6.9 Visual Inspection
Table 6.1, Visual Inspection Acceptance Criteria (see 6.9)
(7) Undercut

The Inspector shall be notified in advance of the start of operations subject to inspection and verification.

AWS D1.1-2015: Structural Welding Code-Steel
6. Inspection
6.1 Scope
6.1.7 Inspector Notification.

Members distorted by welding shall be straightened by mechanical means or by application of a limited amount of localized heat. The temperature of heated areas as measured by approved methods shall not exceed 1100°F [600°C] for quenched and tempered steel nor 1200°F [650°C] for other steels. The part to be heated for straightening shall be substantially free of stress and from external forces, except those stresses resulting from a mechanical straightening method used in conjunction with the application of heat.

AWS D1.1-2015: Structural Welding Code-Steel
5. Fabrication
5.25 Repairs
5.25.2 Localized Heat Repair Temperature Limitations.

Parts to be joined at butt joints shall be carefully aligned. Where the parts are effectively restrained against bending due to eccentricity in alignment, the offset from the theoretical alignment shall not exceed 10% of the thickness of the thinner part joined, or 1/8 in [3 mm], whichever is smaller. In correcting misalignment in such cases, the parts shall not be drawn into a greater slope than 1/2 in [12 mm] in 12 in [300 mm]. Measurement of offset shall be based upon the centerline of parts unless otherwise shown on the drawings. AWS D1.1-2015 Structural Welding Code-Steel 5. Fabrication 5.21 Tolerance of Joint Dimensions 5.21.3 Butt Joint Alignment.

The parts to be joined by fillet welds shall be brought into as close contact as practicable. The root opening shall not exceed 3/16 in. [5 mm] except in cases involving either shapes or plates 3 in. [75 mm] or greater in thickness if, after straightening and in assembly, the root opening cannot be closed sufficiently to meet this tolerance. In such cases, a maximum root opening of 5/16 in [8 mm] may be used, provided suitable backing is used. Backing may be of flux, glass tape, iron powder, or similar materials, or welds using a low-hydrogen process compatible with the filler metal deposited. If the separation is greater than 1/16 in. [2 mm], the legs of the fillet weld shall be increased by the amount of the root opening, or the Contractor shall demonstrate that the required effective throat has been obtained.

AWS D1.1-2015 Structural Welding Code-Steel
5. Fabrication
5.21 Tolerance of Joint Dimensions
5.21.1 Fillet Weld Assembly.