D1.1 die post diameters

[jrtei]

What size die post should be used for testing 1/4" thick A36 plate per D1.1 for performance quals? I know the limited test plate diagrams only show 3/8" thick plate and Table 4.11 doesn't offer anything thinner than 3/8". Although Table 4.2 allows for procedure quals less than 3/8" thick. Is it to be understood that testing plate thicknesses less than 3/8" is not allowed for performance quals? One would think face and root bends would be tested around a 1" (4t) diameter die post for 1/4" thick plate. But there are no provisions (nomographs, charts or formulas) to determine this die post size, you are only lead to 1-1/2" diameter.
Yet if you go to Section 9, Table 9.14 allows for the testing of pipe/tube test coupons with wall thicknesses less than 3/8" thick. Section 9 sends you back to Section 4 for your dies post size. So then if a welder tested on 6" sch 40 (.280" wall) per the code you would test his face and roots on am 1-1/2" diameter die post? That seems rather generous.
Am I missing something?

 

[gtaw]

The performance qualification tests detailed by D1.1 are the required performance tests if AWS D1.1 is the governing document. The figures in clause 4 and 9 depict the required performance tests. As you noted, there are no provisions for job thicknesses less than 3/8 inch plate when testing the welder for structural shapes other than tubular.

One could use AWS B2.1 as an alternate to the requirements of AWS D1.1 with the Engineer's (representing the Owner) approval. AWS B2.1 provides information regarding the require bend diameter for all thicknesses of base metal.

Best regards - Al

 

[racookpe1978]

In my opinion, buy the thicker plate for a few pennies more and just perform the "regular" qualification with the "regular plate thickness." This might be a specific job with 1/4 plate, but you WILL find that, in a few weeks/days/months after you have run the special qualification, the next jobs will require repeating the test. Yes, you - and your boss more importantly - will be strongly tempted to skip the retest with 3/8 metal at that time.

Which is the first steps towards losing the whole qualification process integrity.

Just do it right the first time, and don't try to game the system.