AWS D1.4/D1.4M:2018

An American National Standard

Structural Welding Code— Steel Reinforcing Bars

AWS D1.4/D1.4M:2018

An American National Standard

Approved by the American National Standards Institute

February 27, 2018

Structural Welding Code—Steel Reinforcing Bars

8th Edition

Supersedes AWS D1.4/D1.4M:2011

Prepared by the American Welding Society (AWS) D1 Committee on Structural Welding

Under the Direction of the AWS Technical Activities Committee

Approved by the AWS Board of Directors

Abstract

This code covers the requirements for welding steel reinforcing bars in most reinforced concrete applications. It contains a body of rules for the regulations of welding steel reinforcing bars and provides suitable acceptance criteria for such welds.

AWS D1.4/D1.4M:2018

AWS D1.4/D1.4M:2018

ISBN Print: 978-0-87171-953-9

ISBN PDF: 978-0-87171-957-7

© 2018 by American Welding Society

All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America

Photocopy Rights. No portion of this standard may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, including mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

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Statement on the Use of American Welding Society Standards

All standards (codes, specifications, recommended practices, methods, classifications, and guides) of the American Welding Society (AWS) are voluntary consensus standards that have been developed in accordance with the rules of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). When AWS American National Standards are either incorporated in, or made part of, documents that are included in federal or state laws and regulations, or the regulations of other governmen- tal bodies, their provisions carry the full legal authority of the statute. In such cases, any changes in those AWS standards must be approved by the governmental body having statutory jurisdiction before they can become a part of those laws and regulations. In all cases, these standards carry the full legal authority of the contract or other document that invokes the AWS standards. Where this contractual relationship exists, changes in or deviations from requirements of an AWS standard must be by agreement between the contracting parties.

AWS American National Standards are developed through a consensus standards development process that brings together volunteers representing varied viewpoints and interests to achieve consensus. While AWS administers the proc- ess and establishes rules to promote fairness in the development of consensus, it does not independently test, evaluate, or verify the accuracy of any information or the soundness of any judgments contained in its standards.

AWS disclaims liability for any injury to persons or to property, or other damages of any nature whatsoever, whether special, indirect, consequential, or compensatory, directly or indirectly resulting from the publication, use of, or reliance on this standard. AWS also makes no guarantee or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information pub- lished herein.

In issuing and making this standard available, AWS is neither undertaking to render professional or other services for or on behalf of any person or entity, nor is AWS undertaking to perform any duty owed by any person or entity to someone else. Anyone using these documents should rely on his or her own independent judgment or, as appropriate, seek the advice of a competent professional in determining the exercise of reasonable care in any given circumstances. It is assumed that the use of this standard and its provisions is entrusted to appropriately qualified and competent personnel.

This standard may be superseded by new editions. This standard may also be corrected through publication of amend- ments or errata, or supplemented by publication of addenda. Information on the latest editions of AWS standards includ- ing amendments, errata, and addenda is posted on the AWS web page (www.aws.org). Users should ensure that they have the latest edition, amendments, errata, and addenda.

Publication of this standard does not authorize infringement of any patent or trade name. Users of this standard accept any and all liabilities for infringement of any patent or trade name items. AWS disclaims liability for the infringement of any patent or product trade name resulting from the use of this standard.

AWS does not monitor, police, or enforce compliance with this standard, nor does it have the power to do so.

Official interpretations of any of the technical requirements of this standard may only be obtained by sending a request, in writing, to the appropriate technical committee. Such requests should be addressed to the American Welding Society, Attention: Managing Director, Standards Development, 8669 NW 36 St, # 130, Miami, FL 33166 (see Annex D). With regard to technical inquiries made concerning AWS standards, oral opinions on AWS standards may be rendered. These opinions are offered solely as a convenience to users of this standard, and they do not constitute professional advice. Such opinions represent only the personal opinions of the particular individuals giving them. These individuals do not speak on behalf of AWS, nor do these oral opinions constitute official or unofficial opinions or interpretations of AWS. In addi- tion, oral opinions are informal and should not be used as a substitute for an official interpretation.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the AWS D1 Committee on Structural Welding. It must be reviewed every five years, and if not revised, it must be either reaffirmed or withdrawn. Comments (recommendations, additions, or deletions) and any pertinent data that may be of use in improving this standard are required and should be addressed to AWS Headquarters. Such comments will receive careful consideration by the AWS D1 Committee on Structural Welding and the author of the comments will be informed of the Committee’s response to the comments. Guests are invited to attend all meetings of the AWS D1 Committee on Structural Welding to express their comments verbally. Procedures for appeal of an adverse decision concerning all such comments are provided in the Rules of Operation of the Technical Activities Committee. A copy of these Rules can be obtained from the American Welding Society, 8669 NW 36 St, # 130, Miami, FL 33166.

AWS D1.4/D1.4M:2018

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Personnel

AWS D1 Committee on Structural Welding

A. W. Sindel, Chair TRC Solutions

T. L. Niemann, Vice Chair Minnesota Department of Transportation

R. D. Medlock, 2nd Vice Chair High Steel Structures, Incorporated

J. A. Molin, Secretary American Welding Society

F. G. Armao The Lincoln Electric Company

U. W. Aschemeier Subsea Global Solutions

E. L. Bickford IISI

T. W. Burns Thom Burns Consulting, LLC

H. H. Campbell III Pazuzu Engineering

R. D. Campbell Bechtel

R. B. Corbit CB & I

M. A. Grieco Massachusetts Department of Transportation

J. J. Kenney Shell International E & P

J. H. Kiefer Conoco Phillips Company

S. W. Kopp High Steel Structures, Incorporated

V. Kuruvilla Genesis Quality Systems Lexicon

J. Lawmon American Engineering and Manufacturing

N. S. Lindell Vigor

D. R. Luciani Canadian Welding Bureau

P. W. Marshall Moonshine Hill Proprietary Systems Engineering

M. J. Mayes Terracon Consultants

D. L. McQuaid D. L. McQuaid & Associates, Incorporated

J. Merrill TRC Solutions

D. K. Miller The Lincoln Electric Company

J. B. Pearson Jr. LTK Engineering Services

D. D. Rager Rager Consulting, Incorporated

T. J. Schlafly AISC

R. E. Shaw Jr. Steel Structures Tech Center, Incorporated

R. W. Stieve Parsons Corporation

M. M. Tayarani Pennoni Associates, Incorporated

P. Torchio III Williams Enterprises of GA, Incorporated

D. G. Yantz Canadian Welding Bureau

Advisors to the D1 Committee on Structural Welding

W. G. Alexander WGAPE

N. J. Altebrando STV, Incorporated

E. M. Beck AMEC

B. M. Butler Walt Disney World Company

1. A. Dennis Consultant

   1. L. Fox Consultant

   2. E. Gilmer HRV Conformance Verification Associates, Incorporated

G. J. Hill G. J. Hill & Associates

1. L. Hoitmont Consultant

   C. W. Holmes Modjeski & Masters, Incorporated

   AWS D1.4/D1.4M:2018

   P. G. Kinney Acute Technological Services

   G. S. Martin GE—Power & Water

   1. C. Phillips Hobart Brothers Company (Retired)

      1. W. Post J. W. Post & Associates, Incorporated

      2. K. Verma Consultant

   B. D. Wright Advantage Aviation Technologies

   
   

   AWS D1I Subcommittee on Reinforcing Steel

2. S. Lindell, Chair Vigor

M. E. Gase, Vice Chair Midwest Steel, Incorporated

1. N. Borrero, Secretary American Welding Society

   R. C. Carter SpaceX

   J. A. Cochran The Walsh Group

   1. D. D’Amico Bechtel

J. L. Davis San Diego County Water Authority

D. P. Gustafson Consultant

M. D. Kerr McDermott

J. Merrill TRC Solutions

E. D. Pratt Clark Pacific

J. L. Warren McDermott

J. S. Wirtz WECTEC, LLC

Advisors to the D1I Subcommittee on Reinforcing Steel

M. J. Mayes Terracon Consultants

J. E. Myers Consultant

D. D. Rager Rager Consulting, Incorporated

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D. A. Ward Vigor

Foreword

This foreword is not part of this standard but is included for informational purposes only.

In 1961, the American Welding Society published its first reinforcing steel welding standard, AWS D12.1-61, Recommended Practices for Welding Reinforcing Steel, Metal Inserts and Connections in Reinforced Concrete Construction. The D12 Committee was disbanded some time after publication of the 1961 code and before publication of the 1975 edition.

The 1961 document was replaced with a greatly revised version, AWS D12.1-75, Reinforcing Steel Welding Code, with the format patterned after the AWS D1.1-72, Structural Welding Code. The 1975 code was produced by the AWS Structural Welding Committee but was not renumbered to reflect this committee change. As with ANSI/AWS D1.1, AWS D12.1-75 was designed as a self-contained code, including within it the qualification of welders and procedures, and requirements for workmanship, quality, and inspection.

The listings of materials and welding processes were revised in the D12.1-75 code. Items newly introduced were the carbon equivalent method for determining preheat, the parenthetical inclusion of metric (SI) conversions, and the two different methods of joint strength determination.

The AWS D12.1-75 document was revised and the title changed to ANSI/AWS D1.4-79, Structural Welding Code— Reinforcing Steel. Since the 1979 edition of ANSI/AWS D1.4, Structural Welding Code—Reinforcing Steel, was issued, further use by designers, engineers, and fabricators has necessitated a number of changes to the requirements; the 1992, 1998, 2005, and 2011 editions reflected these changes.

The evolution of AWS D1.4/D1.4M, Structural Welding Code—Steel Reinforcing Bars, is shown below:

AWS D12.1-61 Recommended Practices for Welding Reinforcing Steel, Metal Inserts and Connections in Reinforced Concrete Construction;

AWS D12.1-75 Reinforcing Steel Welding Code; ANSI/AWS D1.4-79 Structural Welding Code—Reinforcing Steel; ANSI/AWS D1.4-92 Structural Welding Code—Reinforcing Steel; ANSI/AWS D1.4-98 Structural Welding Code—Reinforcing Steel; AWS D1.4/D1.4M:2005 Structural Welding Code—Reinforcing Steel;

AWS D1.4/D1.4M:2011 Structural Welding Code—Reinforcing Steel; and AWS D1.4/D1.4M:2018 Structural Welding Code—Steel Reinforcing Bars.

Changes in Code Requirements. Underlined text in the subclauses, tables, or figures indicates an editorial or technical change from the 2011 edition. A vertical line in the margin indicates a revision from the 2011 edition.

Clause/Table/

Figure/Annex Modification

AWS D1.4/D1.4M:2018

Summary of Changes

Clause 1 Restructured to identify new safety and health information; new materials added. GTAW is now permitted as a prequalified welding process.

Clause 2 New clause that lists all normative references. This replaces subclause 1.9 from the 2011 edition.

Clause 3 New clause that provides terms and definitions specific to this standard. It replaces subclause 1.5 from the 2011 edition.

Clause 4 Previously Clause 2 in the 2011 edition. Base metal stresses and allowable stresses in welds were removed and replaced with new content on the design of welded joints. New Table 4.1 covers design strength and the allowable strength of welded joints.

Clause 5 Previously Clause 3 in the 2011 edition. New content on lap joints: bar diameter range, effects of eccentricity, and lap joints in an anchorage. Figures 5.1 through 5.5 modified for clarification.

Clause 6 Previously Clause 4 in the 2011 edition. New content on foreign materials and coatings, weld size.

Figures 6.1 revised for clarity. Figure 6.2 extensively revised to include new schedules for weld profiles.

Clause 7 Previously Clause 5 in the 2011 edition. New content on GTAW electrodes and filler metals. Tables 7.1 revised to include several A5 filler metal specifications, most notably AWS A5.36.

Clause 8 Previously Clause 6 in the 2011 edition. Table 8.2 revised to include GTAW, bar diameter groups, and AWS A5.36. Figure 8.5 revised for clarity. Figure 8.8 is new.

Clause 9 Previously Clause 7 in the 2011 edition. Radiographic methodology shall now conform to ASTM E94. Annex A Sample forms now include GTAW.

Commentary Commentary is new for this edition. This is a practice used by other D1 codes and as such will now be included as part of this standard.

Informative Annexes. These annexes are not code requirements but are provided to clarify code provisions by showing examples, providing information, or suggesting alternative good practices.

Errata. It is the Structural Welding Committee’s Policy that all errata should be made available to users of this code. Therefore, any significant errata will be published in the Society News Section of the Welding Journal and posted on the AWS web site at: https://www.aws.org/technical/d1/.

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Suggestions. Your comments for improving AWS D1.4/D1.4M:2018, Structural Welding Code—Steel Reinforcing Bars are welcome. Submit comments to the Managing Director, Standards Development, American Welding Society, 8669 NW 36 St, # 130, Miami, FL 33166; telephone (305) 443-9353; fax (305) 443-5951; e-mail info@aws.org; or via the AWS web site <https://www.aws.org>.

Table of Contents

Page No.

Personnel v

Foreword vii

List of Tables xi

List of Figures xi

1. General Requirements 1

   1. Scope 1

   2. Units of Measurement 1

   3. Safety 1

   4. Application 2

   5. Steel Reinforcing Bar Base Metal 2

   6. Welding Processes 3

2. Normative References 4

3. Terms and Definitions 6

4. Design of Welded Joints 7

   1. Design Basis 7

   2. Effective Weld Areas, Lengths, Throats, and Sizes 7

   3. Other Limit States 8

5. Structural Details 11

   1. Transition in Bar Size Number 11

   2. Joint Types 11

   3. Direct Butt Joints 11

   4. Indirect Butt Joints 11

   5. Lap Joints 11

   6. Lap Joints in an Anchorage 11

   7. Interconnection of Precast Members 11

6. Workmanship 19

   1. Preparation of Base Metal 19

   2. Assembly 19

   3. Control of Distortion, Shrinkage, and Heat 20

   4. Quality of Welds 20

7. Technique 25

   1. Filler Metal Requirements 25

   2. Minimum Preheat and Interpass Temperature Requirements 25

   3. Welding Environment 25

   4. Arc Strikes 26

   5. Weld Cleaning 26

   6. Tack Welds 26

   7. Progression of Welding 26

   8. Welding of Coated Base Metal 26

   9. SMAW Electrodes 26

   10. GMAW Electrodes 27

   11. FCAW Electrodes 27

       AWS D1.4/D1.4M:2018

   12. GTAW Electrodes and Filler Metals 27

   13. Shielding Gas 28

8. Qualification 33

   1. General 33

   2. WPS Qualification 33

   3. Welder Qualification 35

   4. Retests 37

   5. Period of Effectiveness 38

   6. Records 38

9. Inspection 52

   1. General Conditions 52

   2. Inspection of Base Metals 52

   3. Inspection of WPS Qualification and Equipment 52

   4. Inspection of Welder Qualifications 52

   5. Inspection of Work and Records 53

   6. Obligations of the Contractor 53

   7. Nondestructive Testing 53

   8. Personnel Qualification 54

   9. Radiographic Testing 54

Annex A (Informative)—Sample Welding Forms 61

Annex B (Informative)—Nominal Dimensions of ASTM Standard Reinforcing Bars 67

Annex C (Informative)—Temperature–Moisture Content Charts 69

Annex D (Informative)—Requesting an Official Interpretation on an AWS Standard 73

Commentary 75

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List of AWS Documents on Structural Welding 83

List of Tables

Tables Page No.

4.1 Design Strength and Allowable Strength of Welded Joints 9

5.1 CJP Groove Weld Requirements for Direct Butt Joints 12

6.1 Radiographic Acceptance Criteria 21

1. Matching Filler Metal Requirements 29

2. Minimum Preheat and Interpass Temperatures 31

3. Permissible Atmospheric Exposure of Low-Hydrogen Electrodes 32

1. Prequalified WPS Fillet Weld Requirements 39

2. PQR Essential Variable Changes Requiring WPS Requalification for SMAW, GMAW, GTAW,

   and FCAW 40

3. Number and Type of Tests for WPS Qualification 41

4. Macroetch Acceptance Criteria 41

5. Welder Qualification—Number, Type of Test, Production Welds, and Positions Qualified 42

9.1 Hole-Type Image Quality Indicator (IQI) Requirements 58

List of Figures

Figures Page No.

4.1 Effective Throat for Flare-Groove Welds 10

1. Direct Butt Joints Showing Transition Between Bars of Different Sizes 13

2. Direct Butt Joints 14

3. Indirect Butt Joints 15

4. Lap Joints 16

5. Details of Joints of Anchorages, Base Plates, and Inserts 17

1. Minimum Distance to Cold Bending Radius Tangent Points 22

2. Acceptable and Unacceptable Weld Profiles 24

1. Direct Butt Joint Test Positions for Groove Welds 43

2. Indirect Butt Joint Test Positions for Flare-Groove Welds or Fillet Welds 44

3. Positions of Groove Welds 45

4. Positions of Fillet Welds 46

5. Full-Section Tension Test Specimens for WPS Qualification Tests 47

6. Full-Section Tension Test and Macroetch Test Specimens for Welder Qualification Tests 49

7. Bend Test Specimen for Welder Qualification Tests 50

8. Flare-Bevel Groove Weld Effective Throat 51

1. Source Position 59

2. Film Placement 60

1. Temperature–Moisture Content Chart to be Used in Conjunction with Testing Program to

   Determine Extended Atmospheric Exposure Time of Low-Hydrogen Electrodes 70

2. Application of Temperature–Moisture Content Chart in Determining Atmospheric Exposure

   Time of Low-Hydrogen Electrodes 71

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   Structural Welding Code—Steel Reinforcing Bars

   
   

   1. General Requirements

1. Scope

   This code shall apply to the welding of the following:

   1. Steel reinforcing bar to steel reinforcing bar, and

   2. Steel reinforcing bar to carbon or low-alloy structural steel.

      When this code is stipulated in contract documents, conformance with all provisions shall be required, except for those provisions that the Engineer or contract documents specifically modifies or exempts.

      
      

2. Units of Measurement

   This standard makes use of both the U.S. Customary Units and the International System of Units (SI); the latter are shown within brackets ([ ]) or in appropriate columns in tables and figures. The measurements may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used independently.

   
   

3. Safety

   Safety and health issues and concerns are beyond the scope of this standard; some safety and health information provided, but such issues are not fully addressed herein.

   Safety and Health information is available from the following sources: American Welding Society:

   1. ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes

   2. AWS Safety and Health Fact Sheets

   3. Other safety and health information on the AWS website Material or Equipment Manufacturers:

(1) Safety Data Sheets supplied by the materials manufacturers (2) Operating Manuals supplied by equipment manufacturers

Applicable Regulatory Agencies:

Work performed in accordance with this standard may involve the use of materials that have been deemed hazardous, and may involve operations or equipment that may cause injury or death. This standard does not purport to address all safety and health risks that may be encountered. The user of this standard should establish an appropriate safety program to address such risks as well as to meet applicable regulatory requirements. ANSI Z49.1 should be considered when devel- oping the safety program.