current inspection requirements of structural steel welds? 1

[Engineerataltitude]

I just found changes in 2012 IBC/2013 CBC Sec 1704 Special Inspections that I had missed until right now. Seems like the table that had previously specified the required special inspection levels of structural steel welding (Table 1704.3) is no longer there. The only reference for req'd inspections of structural steel welds is in AWS D1.1. ARRRGGGHHH! I've been trying to avoid having to buy that $500+ code if I can because I only work in structural steel a handful of times a year. Can anyone give me heads up about what if any changes were made to the welding inspection req'ts this past code cycle? Are they basically the same as last code cycle, just referenced in AWS D1.1?

Also, just want a confirmation...per the previous code cycle, the req't for special inspection for field welding had been removed and the req't shifted to a certain level of inspection for the weld type (i.e. fillet, PJP, CJP, etc.) no matter where the welding took place, in the shop or in the field. Can someone who works with structural steel welding more frequently than I do confirm this for me?

 

[wannabeSE]

For structural steel special inspections (including welding), the 2012 IBC references AISC 360. For the 2013 CBC, it depends if the project falls under chapter 17 or 17A. Chapter 17 is similar to the 2012 IBC. Chapter 17A has a table similar to the 2010 CBC (2009 IBC). AISC 360 can be downloaded for free at

https://www.aisc.org/content.aspx?id=2884&linkidentifier=id&itemid=2884.

Note: where I work, AWS D1.1 is a necessary reference. I use it whenever I review weld procedure submittals.

 

[Engineerataltitude]

I have AISC 360. But it is very general with respect to weld inspection reqts. It just references back to ASW D1.1 for quality assurance standards rather than listing specific continuous or periodic inspection requirements.

So I take it there is no getting around having to get AWS D1.1 now if you design welded structural steel connections?

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

Didn't they add a whole new chapter about inspections in the new AISC 360?

Maine EIT, Civil/Structural.

 

[Gumpmaster]

This is all now defined in AISC 360-10 Section N. AISC uses Observe (O) and Perform (C) instead of periodic and continuous (I'm not sure why they deviated from the IBC). It's all quite detailed in Section N. I think the only references back to AWS D1.1 are with regards to inspector qualifications and testing proceedures.

 

[darthsoilsguy2]

as gump stated the info is there for inspection frequency. The ICBO is moving towards having things inspected in accordance with the standards written and maintained by that industry.

This is a very big change in the way Special Inspections are proposed and performed. My interpretation is there are no more "continuous" inspections except bolt tensioning by turn-of-nut or calibrated torque-wrench. Many inspectors were camping out due to the "continuous" requirement for moment welds and multi-pass fillet welds. I would suspect that as willing as testing companies in SE USA were ready to 'lunch & learn' the design and building officials in their communities during the transition to IBC and special inspections, there won't be much heads up about this. Many states operate 3 years behind the IBC so the 2012 IBC really doesn't go into effect until buildings that are permit under 2015.

AWS D1.1 will is a weld quality and process document. if D1.1 comments about the amount of inspections to be done it is news to me. i see it more of a 'so you've decided to inspect this weld.... now here's what to do to inspect that to D1.1' document. if i'm wrong on that i would appreciate the correction. I don't pretend to have scored 100% on my CWI, just enough to win it and a few revisions ago.

 

[Engineerataltitude]

Thank you so much. For some reason I never looked at section N in AISC 360. Looks like I'll have to update my standard Statement of Special Inspection for steel.

As always, what an impressive group of contributors!