AWS D1.1 - D1.1M-2025 PDF

Full title and description

AWS D1.1/D1.1M:2025 — Structural Welding Code — Steel. This is the American Welding Society’s 25th edition of the D1.1 code that establishes requirements for the design, fabrication, qualification and inspection of welded structures made from commonly used carbon and low‑alloy constructional steels; the 2025 edition incorporates updates to materials, qualification, inspection and usability.

Abstract

The D1.1/D1.1M:2025 code provides a consolidated body of mandatory clauses and informative annexes covering topics from terms and normative references through design of welded connections, prequalification and qualification of welding procedures and personnel, fabrication, inspection and specific rules for stud and tubular welding. The 2025 revision includes new definitions, updated prequalification and qualification rules, expanded NDT guidance, allowance of LRFD design methods, and additions for newer base materials and production practices.

General information

• Status: Active — most current edition (2025 release).
• Publication date: 2025 (released April 17, 2025 per AWS announcement; published as the 2025 edition).
• Publisher: American Welding Society (AWS).
• ICS / categories: Welding — ICS 25.160 (Welding, brazing and soldering), specifically relating to welded joints and welds (ICS 25.160.40).
• Edition / version: 25th edition — D1.1/D1.1M:2025.
• Number of pages: 646 pages (print/PDF page count as listed for the 2025 edition).

Scope

The code governs welding requirements for virtually all welded structural steel construction using common carbon and low‑alloy steels. Clauses 1–11 provide mandatory rules for materials, welding consumables, procedure prequalification, procedure and welder qualification, fabrication practices, inspection and nondestructive testing, stud welding, tubular structures and repair/strengthening of steel members; the document also contains multiple normative and informative annexes plus a commentary. The 2025 edition updates material classifications, clarifies ambiguous provisions and aligns certain provisions with contemporary practice.

Key topics and requirements

• Design of welded connections — guidance for nontubular and tubular members and explicit allowance for LRFD alongside ASD design practices.
• Prequalification of WPSs — clarified shielding gas rules, oxygen‑equivalent considerations and updated electrode/base‑metal limits for prequalified procedures.
• Qualification — revised test rules for groove, fillet and slot weld tests; updated preheat and interpass requirements and formalized qualification procedures.
• Fabrication and workmanship — updated fabrication tolerances, PWHT guidance, weld tabs and clarified repair/strengthening practices.
• Inspection and NDT — expanded acceptance criteria, broader recognition of NDT certification schemes (e.g., references to ISO 9712) and refined visual/NDT defect criteria.
• Stud and tubular welding — updated requirements for stud types and testing, plus revised qualification provisions for tubular connections.
• New and clarified materials — procedure for adding unlisted base materials (Annex S in 2025) and approval of higher‑strength steels for prequalified welding (e.g., ASTM A913 Grade 80 family).

Typical use and users

AWS D1.1/D1.1M:2025 is used by structural engineers, fabricators, welding procedure developers, welding inspectors, code officials, construction managers, and educators. It is applied on projects specifying welded steel structures — buildings, bridges, industrial plants and other fabricated steel assemblies — to establish minimum performance, qualification and inspection requirements.

Related standards

Closely related documents include other AWS codes and guides (for example AWS A3.0M/A3.0 — Standard Welding Terms and Definitions), AWS D1 series documents (such as D1.7 for repair guidance), and complementary design and inspection standards such as AISC 360 (steel building design) and recognized NDT certification standards (ISO 9712). Users commonly apply these standards together with D1.1 to address terminology, repair, design methodology and NDT qualifications.

Keywords

Structural welding, steel, welding procedure specification (WPS), prequalification, welder qualification, nondestructive testing (NDT), inspection, LRFD, ASTM A913 Grade 80, fabrication, stud welding, tubular structures, repair.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: AWS D1.1/D1.1M:2025 is the American Welding Society’s Structural Welding Code — Steel, the definitive industry code that sets minimum requirements for welding design, procedure and personnel qualification, fabrication and inspection of welded steel structures.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers terms and normative references, design of welded connections, prequalification and qualification of welding procedures and personnel, fabrication workmanship, inspection and NDT acceptance, stud welding, tubular structures, and repair/strengthening — plus normative and informative annexes and a commentary to aid interpretation.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Structural engineers, fabricators, welding procedure writers, certified welding inspectors, QC/QA personnel, code officials, and educators in welding and structural steel fields use D1.1 to specify and verify welded construction practices.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2025 edition is the current (most recent) edition of AWS D1.1/D1.1M as published by AWS; it supersedes earlier editions (for example the 2020 edition). Users should specify the edition required by contract and project documents.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. D1.1 is part of the AWS D1 series of structural welding codes; related D1 documents (and other AWS standards) address different materials, specialty topics and procedures (for example D1.7 on repair and other D1.x documents). Many projects apply multiple AWS standards together.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Structural welding, steel, WPS, prequalification, welder qualification, inspection, NDT, LRFD, ASTM A913, fabrication, tubular, stud welding.