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Welding standard AWS D1.1

September 9, 2025
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AWS D1.1, published by the American Welding Society (AWS), is one of the most respected and widely used standards in the welding industry. It is considered the world’s leading standard for welding structural steel. This article explains the content, requirements, and applications of this important standard.

Introduction to the AWS D1.1 standard

1. History and meaning

  • The first edition was published in 1928.

  • Regular updates every 3-5 years

  • Current version: AWS D1.1/D1.1M:2020

2. Scope

  • Welding of carbon steels (Groups I, II, III)

  • Thickness 1/8″ (3.2 mm) or more

  • Arc welding processes (SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, SAW, GTAW)

AWS D1.1 standard structure

1. Essential content of the standard

  • Part 1     : General requirements

  • Part Two     : Design of welded joints

  • Part 3     : Preparation and warm-up

  • Part four     : Qualification of welders and operators

  • Section 5     : Welding technology

  • Part Six     : Inspection and Quality Control

2. Important investments

  • Appendix A: Standards for non-destructive testing

  • Appendix B: WPS and PQR examples

  • Appendix C: Design Manual

The Loa consists of three layers of stainless steel.AWS Design Requirements D1.1

1. Type of welded joint

  • Buttock joints 

  • Corner joints 

  • Protective connection      (T-connection)

  •   Overlap joints  

  • Rim connections 

2. Boiling volume

  • Fillet weld     : The minimum size depends on the material thickness.

  • Slot welding     : design according to slot type

  • Sky Welding     : Specify depth and size

3. Design details

  • Weld joint type (V, U, J, beveled)

  • exposed roots

  • Opening angle

  • Cutting edge thickness

Welding performance requirements

1. Surface treatment

  • Removing dirt from the surface

  • Removes oils, greases     and oxides.

  • grind if necessary

2. Preheat

  • Determine the preheating temperature depending on the thickness and type of steel.

  • How to measure the temperature

  • Temperature range of different steels

3. Control of the inlet temperature

  • Calculating heat gain

  • Input temperature limit

  • Influence on the mechanical properties

Qualification of welding personnel

1. Welder Qualification Certificate (WQR)

  • Compulsory practical test

  • Validity period of the certificate (usually 6 months)

  • Requirements for extending eligibility

2. Qualification of welding machine operators

  • Requirements for automatic welding

  • Functional tests

  • Required documents

3. Qualification of welding control operators

  • Required documents (CWI, SCWI)

  • Training

  • Experience

Welding procedures covered by the standard

1. Manual welding (SMAW)

  • coated electrodes

  • Restricted movement

  • Implementation technology

2. Gas-shielded metal arc welding (GMAW)

  • protective gas

  • Types of metal transport

  •    Device configuration

3. Submerged arc welding (SAW)

  • Selection of welding powder

  • Manage parameters

  • Specific applications

4. Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW).

  • Tungsten electrode

  • protective gas

  • It is applied to the roots of the abscess.

Quality control and welding testing

1. Non-destructive testing (NDT)

  • Visual inspection      (VT): according to AWS B1.11

  • Penetration Testing      (PT): AWS B1.10

  • Magnetic particle testing      (MPI): AWS B1.15

  • Ultrasonic testing      (UT): AWS B1.10

  • Radiography      (RT): AWS B1.10

2. Admission criteria

  • Permissible sizes and types of defects

  • Bug fixes

  • Record results

3. Destructive testing

  • Tensile test

  • Bending test

  • Impact test

Welding documentation

1. Approved welding specification (WPS)

  • Welding parameters

  • Acceptable range

  • Pre- and post-heating conditions

2. Method Qualification Report (PQR)

  • Test results

  • Implementation details

  • Official signature

3. Test report

Comparing AWS D1.1 with other standards

1. Differences to ASME Section IX

  • AWS D1.1 focuses on steel structures.

  • Differences in the requirements for applicants

  • Differences in admission criteria

2. Differences to ISO 3834

  • The ISO approach to quality systems

  • Differences between documents

  • Verification requirements

AWS D1.1 Industrial Applications

1. Construction industry

  •  steel construction

  • Bridge

  • high-rise buildings

2. Oil and gas industry

3. Transportation

  • shipbuilding

  • Cars

  • Heavy vehicle frame

AWS Standard D1.1 was released in 2020.

1. Important changes

  • Updating heating requirements

  • Changes to the criteria for accepting defects

  • Add new welding methods

2. Improvements

  • Clear design requirements

  • Update welding parameter table

  • Extended Inspection Guide

Key points for successful implementation of standards

1. Mandatory requirements for tour guides

  • The difference between “should” and “must”

  • Legal requirements

  • Further suggestions

2. Document management

  • accounting

  • Access to documents

  • How to update

3. Staff training

  • Standard introductory course

  • Training in verification methods

  • Updating technical knowledge

Finally

AWS D1.1 is a comprehensive and practical reference standard for structural steel welding, essential for the quality and integrity of welded joints. A thorough understanding of the standard’s requirements and strict adherence to its provisions improve the reliability of welded structures and reduce maintenance costs     .     The standard is regularly updated, so it’s essential for engineers, welders, and welding inspectors to stay up-to-date with the latest developments.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does AWS D1.1 also apply to welding stainless steel?

No, AWS D1.6 applies to stainless steel. AWS D1.1 applies to carbon steel.

2. How long is a welder certificate issued according to AWS D1.1 valid?

The shelf life is typically 6 months, unless the welder continuously performs the same welding process. In this case, the shelf life can be extended to 2 years.

3. What is the difference between WPS and PQR in the AWS D1.1 standard?

WPS (Welding Procedure Specification) is a welding procedure specification and PQR (Procedure Qualification Report) is a document that certifies that the WPS has been tested and produced acceptable results.

4. Does AWS D1.1 apply to underwater welding requirements?

No, underwater welding is regulated by a separate standard AWS D3.6.

5. How do I access the latest AWS D1.1 release?

This standard can be purchased or viewed online at the American Welding Society website (www.aws.org). The latest version is also available at some specialized bookstores.