AWS D1.5 Bridge Welding Code

Per D1.5 Clause 12.1, a fracture-critical member is a steel tension member or component whose failure would be expected to result in collapse of the bridge. FCMs require 100% UT or RT of all CJP groove welds, enhanced welder qualification testing, and Charpy V-Notch (CVN) impact testing of the weld metal and HAZ.

Per D1.5 Table 12.1, FCM weld metal must achieve a minimum CVN absorbed energy of 20 ft-lbs at the specified test temperature (typically 10°F below the AASHTO minimum service temperature zone). Three specimens are tested; each must meet the minimum, and the average must meet a higher threshold.

D1.5 Clause 6 adds requirements beyond D1.1: welders on FCMs must pass a supplemental test per Clause 12, including tighter acceptance criteria for RT/UT of test coupons. D1.5 also requires annual re-testing (rather than the 6-month activity-based maintenance in D1.1) for welders on bridge projects.

Yes, but with restrictions. D1.5 Clause 5 allows prequalified WPSs for non-fracture-critical members, generally following D1.1 Clause 5 tables. However, for fracture-critical welds, all WPSs must be qualified by test per Clause 12, regardless of whether the joint is prequalified. No prequalified WPS exemption exists for FCMs.