AWS D1.8 and AISC Specifications

Three AISC specifications may apply to a project where seismic resistance is required: AISC 360 Specifications for Structural Steel Buildings , AISC 341 Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings , and AISC 358 Prequalified Connections for Special and Intermediate Steel Moment Frames for Seismic Applications. These three documents will be referred to as AISC Specifications, AISC Seismic Provisions and AISC Prequalified Connections, respectively, throughout the remainder of this manual.

 The relationship between AWS D1.8 and the AISC Specifications is no different than that between the AISC Specifications and AWS D1.1.

There is significant interaction between the AISC Seismic Provisions and D1.8. Typically, AISC Seismic Provisions specify where and when certain welding related provisions apply, while AWS D1.8 will specify how such provisions are implemented. For example, AWS D1.8 does not specify when steel backing must be removed from a connection. However, when backing removal is required by AISC specifications, AWS D1.8 specifies how the backing is to be removed.

The AISC’s Prequalified Connections document prescribes prequalified structural connections (beam-to-column connections, for example, not to be confused with AWS prequalified welding procedure specifications, or with prequalified joint details). As part of connection prequalification, welding-related issues such as backing removal, weld tab removal, weld metal properties and inspection requirements are prescribed.