KTC-03-16 / SPR 269-03-1F
"Survey of Welding Processes", T. Hopwood II
ABSTRACT
The
current KYTC “SPECIAL PROVISION NO. 4 WELDING STEEL BRIDGES” prohibits
the use of welding
processes other than shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) and submerged
arc welding (SAW). Nationally, bridge
welding is codified under ANSI/AASHTO/AWS D1.5M/D1.5:2002 Bridge Welding
Code. That document allows the
use of other welding processes including flux core arc welding, gas
metal arc welding, electroslag welding and
electrogas welding after passing qualification tests.
Both the KYTC Special Provision and the Bridge Welding Code were reviewed.
Representatives from 14 state
highway agencies, fabrication shops, universities and welding equipment
firms were questioned regarding the wider use
of the welding processes allowed by the Bridge Welding Code but prohibited
by the KYTC Special Provision. Based
upon those responses, recommendations are provided to KYTC for updating
the Special Provision and more fully
adopting the Bridge Welding Code.