1|Page
AWS CERTIFIED WELDER – BRIDGE WELDING (D1.5)
CERTIFICATION ACTUAL EXAM PREP 2026 ALL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAIED ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES ALREADY A GRADED WITH
EXPERT FEEDBACK |NEW AND REVISED
1. AWS D1.5 applies primarily to the welding of which structures?
A. Buildings
B. Pressure vessels
C. Pipelines
D. Bridges
Rationale: AWS D1.5 is the Bridge Welding Code specifically
governing welded highway and railway bridges made from carbon and
low-alloy constructional steels designed to AASHTO or AREMA
requirements.
2. AWS D1.5 is published by which organization?
A. ASME
B. API
C. AWS
D. ISO
Rationale: The American Welding Society (AWS) publishes AWS D1.5
in cooperation with AASHTO. It is an American National Standard.
3. Which base material is most commonly covered under AWS D1.5?
A. Aluminum alloys
B. Carbon and low-alloy steels
C. Stainless steels
D. Cast iron
,2|Page
Rationale: AWS D1.5 primarily covers carbon and low-alloy structural
steels used in bridges, including AASHTO M270/A709 grades such as
36, 50, 50W, HPS 70W, and HPS 100W.
4. Who is responsible for approving Welding Procedure Specifications
(WPS) under AWS D1.5?
A. Welder
B. Inspector
C. Engineer
D. Contractor only
Rationale: The Engineer has authority for approval and acceptance
decisions under D1.5, including approval of WPSs and PQRs before
fabrication commences.
5. What type of joint is most common in bridge girder fabrication?
A. Lap joint
B. Corner joint
C. Butt joint
D. Edge joint
Rationale: Butt joints are commonly used for joining girders and
plates in bridge construction, particularly for flange and web splices.
6. Which welding process is most commonly permitted for bridge
welding?
A. GTAW only
B. SMAW
C. Oxy-fuel welding
D. Stud welding only
Rationale: Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) is widely permitted
and used in bridge welding due to its versatility and suitability for field
conditions. Other processes such as SAW, GMAW, and FCAW are
also permitted under D1.5.
,3|Page
7. What is the minimum preheat primarily intended to prevent?
A. Distortion
B. Undercut
C. Hydrogen cracking
D. Overlap
Rationale: Preheating slows the cooling rate, reducing the risk of
hydrogen-induced cracking (cold cracking) in the heat-affected zone
of susceptible steels.
8. What is the primary purpose of a Welding Procedure Specification
(WPS)?
A. To define visual inspection standards
B. To describe the welding process, parameters, and materials
C. To certify welders
D. To specify paint requirements
Rationale: A WPS ensures consistent, high-quality welds by providing
specific instructions for welding, including process, filler metal,
current, voltage, travel speed, preheat, and other essential variables.
9. What does PQR stand for?
A. Procedure Quality Record
B. Performance Qualification Record
C. Procedure Qualification Record
D. Production Quality Report
Rationale: PQR documents the results of procedure qualification
testing. It validates that a WPS can produce welds meeting code
requirements.
10. What is the primary purpose of a backing bar in groove welds?
A. To increase weld size
B. To support molten metal and prevent burn-through
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C. To reduce heat input
D. To improve weld appearance
Rationale: A backing bar provides support for the molten weld pool
and prevents burn-through, especially on thin materials or when full
penetration is required.
11. When welding in the flat position, what is the typical electrode
angle?
A. 0–10°
B. 15–30°
C. 45–60°
D. 60–75°
Rationale: A slight electrode tilt (15–30°) helps control the weld pool
and reduce spatter in flat welding while ensuring proper penetration.
12. Which inspection method is required for critical bridge welds?
A. Visual inspection only
B. Ultrasonic testing, radiographic testing, or magnetic particle
testing
C. Surface roughness measurement
D. Hardness testing
Rationale: Critical welds in bridges often require nondestructive
testing (NDT) to detect internal or surface flaws. UT, RT, and MT are
common methods specified by D1.5.
13. What is the minimum root opening recommended for a single V-
groove weld on 1-inch steel?
A. 1/16 inch
B. 1/8 inch
C. 1/4 inch
D. 3/8 inch
AWS CERTIFIED WELDER – BRIDGE WELDING (D1.5)
CERTIFICATION ACTUAL EXAM PREP 2026 ALL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAIED ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES ALREADY A GRADED WITH
EXPERT FEEDBACK |NEW AND REVISED
1. AWS D1.5 applies primarily to the welding of which structures?
A. Buildings
B. Pressure vessels
C. Pipelines
D. Bridges
Rationale: AWS D1.5 is the Bridge Welding Code specifically
governing welded highway and railway bridges made from carbon and
low-alloy constructional steels designed to AASHTO or AREMA
requirements.
2. AWS D1.5 is published by which organization?
A. ASME
B. API
C. AWS
D. ISO
Rationale: The American Welding Society (AWS) publishes AWS D1.5
in cooperation with AASHTO. It is an American National Standard.
3. Which base material is most commonly covered under AWS D1.5?
A. Aluminum alloys
B. Carbon and low-alloy steels
C. Stainless steels
D. Cast iron
,2|Page
Rationale: AWS D1.5 primarily covers carbon and low-alloy structural
steels used in bridges, including AASHTO M270/A709 grades such as
36, 50, 50W, HPS 70W, and HPS 100W.
4. Who is responsible for approving Welding Procedure Specifications
(WPS) under AWS D1.5?
A. Welder
B. Inspector
C. Engineer
D. Contractor only
Rationale: The Engineer has authority for approval and acceptance
decisions under D1.5, including approval of WPSs and PQRs before
fabrication commences.
5. What type of joint is most common in bridge girder fabrication?
A. Lap joint
B. Corner joint
C. Butt joint
D. Edge joint
Rationale: Butt joints are commonly used for joining girders and
plates in bridge construction, particularly for flange and web splices.
6. Which welding process is most commonly permitted for bridge
welding?
A. GTAW only
B. SMAW
C. Oxy-fuel welding
D. Stud welding only
Rationale: Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) is widely permitted
and used in bridge welding due to its versatility and suitability for field
conditions. Other processes such as SAW, GMAW, and FCAW are
also permitted under D1.5.
,3|Page
7. What is the minimum preheat primarily intended to prevent?
A. Distortion
B. Undercut
C. Hydrogen cracking
D. Overlap
Rationale: Preheating slows the cooling rate, reducing the risk of
hydrogen-induced cracking (cold cracking) in the heat-affected zone
of susceptible steels.
8. What is the primary purpose of a Welding Procedure Specification
(WPS)?
A. To define visual inspection standards
B. To describe the welding process, parameters, and materials
C. To certify welders
D. To specify paint requirements
Rationale: A WPS ensures consistent, high-quality welds by providing
specific instructions for welding, including process, filler metal,
current, voltage, travel speed, preheat, and other essential variables.
9. What does PQR stand for?
A. Procedure Quality Record
B. Performance Qualification Record
C. Procedure Qualification Record
D. Production Quality Report
Rationale: PQR documents the results of procedure qualification
testing. It validates that a WPS can produce welds meeting code
requirements.
10. What is the primary purpose of a backing bar in groove welds?
A. To increase weld size
B. To support molten metal and prevent burn-through
, 4|Page
C. To reduce heat input
D. To improve weld appearance
Rationale: A backing bar provides support for the molten weld pool
and prevents burn-through, especially on thin materials or when full
penetration is required.
11. When welding in the flat position, what is the typical electrode
angle?
A. 0–10°
B. 15–30°
C. 45–60°
D. 60–75°
Rationale: A slight electrode tilt (15–30°) helps control the weld pool
and reduce spatter in flat welding while ensuring proper penetration.
12. Which inspection method is required for critical bridge welds?
A. Visual inspection only
B. Ultrasonic testing, radiographic testing, or magnetic particle
testing
C. Surface roughness measurement
D. Hardness testing
Rationale: Critical welds in bridges often require nondestructive
testing (NDT) to detect internal or surface flaws. UT, RT, and MT are
common methods specified by D1.5.
13. What is the minimum root opening recommended for a single V-
groove weld on 1-inch steel?
A. 1/16 inch
B. 1/8 inch
C. 1/4 inch
D. 3/8 inch
