Welding inspection and nondestructive testing shall satisfy the requirements of the Specification, this section, and AWS D1.8/D1.8M.
If welding involves the intermix of FCAW-S weld metal with weld metal from other processes, inspection prior to welding shall include a quality control (QC) task and quality assurance (QA) task to Observe (O) that the use of intermixed weld metals is supported by appropriate documentation in accordance with AWS D1.8/D1.8M.
User Note: AWS D1.8/D1.8M requires that the suitability of combining FCAW-S with other welding processes in a single joint be tested for acceptable Charpy V-notch properties. These tests, in accordance with AWS D1.8/D1.8M, Annex B, may be performed and documented by the filler metal manufacturer, the Contractor, or an independent testing agency. AWS D1.8/D1.8M, Annex B, contains the minimum requirements for documentation.
If a reinforcing or contouring fillet weld is required, it shall be inspected by the quality control inspector and quality assurance inspector as a Perform (P) task.
For each individual welder, fit-up of a minimum of 10 groove welds or all groove welds if less than 10 exist on the project shall be inspected to the Perform (P) task. If the inspector ascertains that fit up of the groove welds meets the requirements of the welding procedure specification (WPS), this task shall be reduced from Perform (P) to Observe (O). Should the fit up not meet the WPS requirements, the task shall be returned to Perform (P) until such time as the fit up meets the welding procedure requirements.
| Documentation of Visual Inspection After Welding | QC | QA | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Task | Doc. | Task | Doc. | |
| Welds meet visual acceptance criteria | ||||
| – Crack prohibition | ||||
| – Weld/base-metal fusion | ||||
| – Crater cross section | P | D | P | D |
| – Weld profiles and size | ||||
| – Undercut | ||||
| – Porosity | ||||
| k-area[a] | P | D | P | D |
| Placement of reinforcing or contouring fillet welds (if required) | P | D | P | D |
| Backing removed, weld tabs removed and finished, and fillet welds added (if required) | P | D | P | D |
[a] When welding of doubler plates, continuity plates, or stiffeners has been performed in the k-area, visually inspect the web k-area for cracks within 3 in. (75 mm) of the weld. The visual inspection shall be performed no sooner than 48 hours following completion of the welding.
Note
Doc. = documentation
User Note: AWS D1.8/D1.8M was specifically written to provide additional requirements for the welding of seismic force-resisting systems and has been coordinated when possible with these Provisions. AWS D1.8/D1.8M requirements related to inspection and nondestructive testing are organized as follows, including normative (mandatory) annexes:
- General Requirements
- Inspection
Annex F. Supplemental Ultrasonic Technician Qualification
Annex G. Supplemental Magnetic Particle Testing Procedures
Annex H. Flaw Sizing by Ultrasonic Testing
J7.1 Visual Welding Inspection Documentation
Visual welding inspection documentation after welding shall be performed by both QC and QA personnel. As a minimum, tasks shall be as listed in Table J7.1, where Documentation (D) is required as indicated.
J7.2 NDT of Welded Joints
In addition to the requirements of Specification Section N5.5, nondestructive testing (NDT) of welded joints shall be as required in this section.
J7.2a CJP Groove Weld NDT
Ultrasonic testing (UT) shall be performed on 100% of complete-joint-penetration (CJP) groove welds in materials 5/16 in. (8 mm) thick or greater. UT in materials less than 5/16 in. (8 mm) thick is not required. Welds shall be inspected by UT in compliance with AWS D1.8/D1.8M.
Magnetic particle testing (MT) shall be performed on 25% of all beam-to-column CJP groove welds. Welds shall be inspected by MT in compliance with AWS D1.8/ D1.8M.
For ordinary moment frames in structures in risk categories I or II, UT and MT of CJP groove welds shall be required only for demand critical welds.
The rate of UT and MT is permitted to be reduced in accordance with Sections J7.2g and J7.2h, respectively.
J7.2b PJP Groove Weld NDT
UT shall be performed using written procedures and UT technicians qualified in accordance with AWS D1.8/D1.8M. Weld joint mock-ups used to qualify procedures and technicians shall include at least one single-bevel partial-joint-penetration (PJP) groove welded joint and one double-bevel PJP groove welded joint, detailed to provide transducer access limitations similar to those to be encountered at the weld faces and by the column web.
Rejection of discontinuities outside the groove weld throat, and within 5/16 in. (8 mm) of the root, shall be considered false indications in procedure and personnel qualification. Procedures qualified using mock-ups with artificial flaws that are 1/16 in. (2 mm) in their smallest dimension are permitted.
The initial 5/16 in. (8 mm) from the root of the bevel shall be disregarded from the UT evaluation. QC shall perform visual testing (VT) of the root.
UT examination of welds using alternative techniques in compliance with AWS D1.1/ D1.1M, Annex O, is permitted.
Weld discontinuities located within the groove weld throat shall be inspected by UT in compliance with AWS D1.8/D1.8M.
The rate of UT is permitted to be reduced in accordance with Section J7.2g.
J7.2b.1 Column Splice Welds
UT is not required for PJP groove welds in column splices designed to meet the requirements of Section D2.5b. UT shall be performed as described in this section on 100% of PJP welds meeting the requirements of Sections E3.6g.2 and E3.6g.4.
J7.2b.2 Column-to-Base Plate Welds
UT shall be performed by QA on 100% of PJP groove welds in column-to-base plate welds.
J7.2b.3 Alternative Approach to UT
When requested by the fabricator or erector and approved by the engineer of record, as an alternative to performing UT on PJP welds, a combination of VT and MT is permitted to be used in accordance with written examination procedures.
J7.2c Base Metal NDT for Lamellar Tearing and Laminations
After joint completion, base metal thicker than 1½ in. (38 mm) loaded in tension in the through-thickness direction in T- and corner-joints, where the connected material is greater than ¾ in. (19 mm) and contains CJP groove welds, shall be ultrasonically tested for discontinuities behind and adjacent to the fusion line of such welds. Any base metal discontinuities found within t/4 of the steel surface shall be accepted or rejected on the basis of criteria of AWS D1.1/D1.1M, Table 8.2, where t is the thickness of the part subjected to the through-thickness strain.
J7.2d Beam Cope and Weld Access Hole NDT
At welded splices and connections, thermally cut surfaces of beam copes and weld access holes shall be tested using magnetic particle testing or penetrant testing, when the flange thickness exceeds 1½ in. (38 mm) for rolled shapes, or when the web thickness exceeds 1½ in. (38 mm) for built-up shapes.
J7.2e Reduced Beam Section Repair NDT
MT shall be performed on any weld and adjacent area of the reduced beam section (RBS) cut surface that has been repaired by welding, or on the base metal of the RBS cut surface if a sharp notch has been removed by grinding.
J7.2f Weld Tab Removal Sites
At the end of welds where weld tabs have been removed, MT shall be performed on the same joints receiving UT as required under Section J7.2a. Except for demand critical welds, the rate of MT is permitted to be reduced in accordance with Section J7.2h. MT of continuity plate weld tab removal sites is not required.
J7.2g Reduction of Percentage of Ultrasonic Testing
The percentage of UT is permitted to be reduced in accordance with Specification Section N5.5e, except no reduction is permitted for demand critical welds.
J7.2h Reduction of Percentage of Magnetic Particle Testing
The percentage of MT on CJP groove welds is permitted to be reduced if approved by the engineer of record and the authority having jurisdiction. The MT rate for an individual welder or welding operator is permitted to be reduced to 10%, provided
| Other Inspection Tasks | QC | QA | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Task | Doc. | Task | Doc. | |
| RBS requirements, if applicable | ||||
| – Contour and finish | P | D | P | D |
| – Dimensional tolerances | ||||
| Protected zone—no holes or unapproved attachments made by fabricator or erector, as applicable | P | D | P | D |
Note: Doc. = documentation
the reject rate is demonstrated to be 5% or less of the welds tested for the welder or welding operator. A sampling of at least 20 completed welds for a job shall be made for such reduction evaluation. Reject rate is the number of welds containing rejectable defects divided by the number of welds completed. This reduction is prohibited on welds at repair sites, weld tab removal sites for demand critical welds, backing removal sites, and weld access holes.