Page 1 of 142
AWS D1.5 Bridge Welding Exam QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES JUST
RELEASED
AWS D1.5 Bridge Welding Exam —Practice Questions with Answers and Rationales
10 MOST-TESTED EXAM COVERAGE AREAS
1. Bridge Welding Code Scope and General Requirements — purpose of D1.5, covered bridge
construction, applicable materials, responsibilities, terminology, code organization, and
relationship to AASHTO/AREMA requirements.
2. Materials and Base-Metal Requirements — carbon and low-alloy structural steels, material
identification, material specifications, heat numbers, thickness, toughness, weldability, and
material traceability.
3. Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) — WPS requirements, essential variables, prequalified
procedures, qualified procedures, welding processes, filler metals, positions, joint details,
preheat, interpass temperature, and welding parameters.
4. Welder and Welding Operator Qualification — qualification tests, test positions, process
limitations, qualified thicknesses, continuity, qualification records, retesting, and qualification
ranges.
5. Fabrication and Welding Practices — joint preparation, fit-up, tack welding, preheat, interpass
control, welding sequence, distortion control, arc strikes, starts and stops, cleaning, and repairs.
6. Inspection and Nondestructive Testing — visual inspection, radiographic testing, ultrasonic
testing, magnetic-particle testing, acceptance criteria, inspection timing, discontinuities, and
inspector responsibilities.
7. Fracture-Critical Members — special requirements for fracture-critical bridge components,
welding procedures, inspection, personnel qualifications, material control, documentation, and
repair requirements.
8. Weld Quality and Discontinuities — cracks, porosity, lack of fusion, incomplete penetration,
undercut, overlap, slag inclusions, arc strikes, unacceptable profiles, and repair methods.
9. Reports, Records, and Documentation — WPS, PQR, welder qualification records, inspection
reports, NDT reports, material records, repair records, traceability, and required project
documentation.
10. Bridge Welding Safety, Design and Practical Application — weld symbols, joint design,
restraint, heat effects, distortion, structural loading, field welding conditions, environmental
controls, workmanship, and code compliance.
Question 1
, Page 2 of 142
Which AWS/AASHTO code is specifically used for welding carbon and low-alloy steel bridges designed to
AASHTO or AREMA requirements?
A. AWS D1.1
B. AWS D1.2
C. AWS D1.5
D. AWS D1.6
Answer: C
Rationale: D1.5 is the Bridge Welding Code for welded bridges made from carbon and low-alloy
constructional steels under AASHTO or AREMA requirements. (AWS Pubs)
Question 2
When a bridge welding project is covered by D1.5, which document should the inspector use first when
checking welding requirements?
A. The applicable project contract documents and governing code
B. An old welding textbook
C. A general equipment manual
D. A supplier advertisement
, Page 3 of 142
Answer: A
Rationale: The project documents and governing code establish the requirements that must be followed
for the work.
Question 3
What is the main purpose of a Welding Procedure Specification on a bridge welding project?
A. To identify the welding inspector's personal experience
B. To describe the controlled welding variables and required welding method
C. To replace all inspection reports
D. To identify the bridge owner only
Answer: B
Rationale: A WPS provides the welding instructions and variables needed to produce acceptable welds
consistently.
Question 4
Why is material identification important during fabrication of structural bridge members?
, Page 4 of 142
A. It determines the welder's hourly wage
B. It provides traceability between the material and required specifications
C. It eliminates the need for inspection
D. It changes the welding process automatically
Answer: B
Rationale: Material identification allows the fabricator and inspector to verify that the correct material
is being used.
Question 5
A welder begins work using a welding procedure that does not match the approved project
requirements. What should normally happen first?
A. Continue welding and inspect later
B. Increase welding current
C. Stop and verify the correct approved procedure
D. Remove the inspector
Answer: C
AWS D1.5 Bridge Welding Exam QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES JUST
RELEASED
AWS D1.5 Bridge Welding Exam —Practice Questions with Answers and Rationales
10 MOST-TESTED EXAM COVERAGE AREAS
1. Bridge Welding Code Scope and General Requirements — purpose of D1.5, covered bridge
construction, applicable materials, responsibilities, terminology, code organization, and
relationship to AASHTO/AREMA requirements.
2. Materials and Base-Metal Requirements — carbon and low-alloy structural steels, material
identification, material specifications, heat numbers, thickness, toughness, weldability, and
material traceability.
3. Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) — WPS requirements, essential variables, prequalified
procedures, qualified procedures, welding processes, filler metals, positions, joint details,
preheat, interpass temperature, and welding parameters.
4. Welder and Welding Operator Qualification — qualification tests, test positions, process
limitations, qualified thicknesses, continuity, qualification records, retesting, and qualification
ranges.
5. Fabrication and Welding Practices — joint preparation, fit-up, tack welding, preheat, interpass
control, welding sequence, distortion control, arc strikes, starts and stops, cleaning, and repairs.
6. Inspection and Nondestructive Testing — visual inspection, radiographic testing, ultrasonic
testing, magnetic-particle testing, acceptance criteria, inspection timing, discontinuities, and
inspector responsibilities.
7. Fracture-Critical Members — special requirements for fracture-critical bridge components,
welding procedures, inspection, personnel qualifications, material control, documentation, and
repair requirements.
8. Weld Quality and Discontinuities — cracks, porosity, lack of fusion, incomplete penetration,
undercut, overlap, slag inclusions, arc strikes, unacceptable profiles, and repair methods.
9. Reports, Records, and Documentation — WPS, PQR, welder qualification records, inspection
reports, NDT reports, material records, repair records, traceability, and required project
documentation.
10. Bridge Welding Safety, Design and Practical Application — weld symbols, joint design,
restraint, heat effects, distortion, structural loading, field welding conditions, environmental
controls, workmanship, and code compliance.
Question 1
, Page 2 of 142
Which AWS/AASHTO code is specifically used for welding carbon and low-alloy steel bridges designed to
AASHTO or AREMA requirements?
A. AWS D1.1
B. AWS D1.2
C. AWS D1.5
D. AWS D1.6
Answer: C
Rationale: D1.5 is the Bridge Welding Code for welded bridges made from carbon and low-alloy
constructional steels under AASHTO or AREMA requirements. (AWS Pubs)
Question 2
When a bridge welding project is covered by D1.5, which document should the inspector use first when
checking welding requirements?
A. The applicable project contract documents and governing code
B. An old welding textbook
C. A general equipment manual
D. A supplier advertisement
, Page 3 of 142
Answer: A
Rationale: The project documents and governing code establish the requirements that must be followed
for the work.
Question 3
What is the main purpose of a Welding Procedure Specification on a bridge welding project?
A. To identify the welding inspector's personal experience
B. To describe the controlled welding variables and required welding method
C. To replace all inspection reports
D. To identify the bridge owner only
Answer: B
Rationale: A WPS provides the welding instructions and variables needed to produce acceptable welds
consistently.
Question 4
Why is material identification important during fabrication of structural bridge members?
, Page 4 of 142
A. It determines the welder's hourly wage
B. It provides traceability between the material and required specifications
C. It eliminates the need for inspection
D. It changes the welding process automatically
Answer: B
Rationale: Material identification allows the fabricator and inspector to verify that the correct material
is being used.
Question 5
A welder begins work using a welding procedure that does not match the approved project
requirements. What should normally happen first?
A. Continue welding and inspect later
B. Increase welding current
C. Stop and verify the correct approved procedure
D. Remove the inspector
Answer: C
