M270M Gr.345S Preheat — H8, High HI, > 60 mm: 275°F
Fracture-critical preheat requirement for M270M Gr.345S / M270 Gr.50S at > 60 mm (> 2½ in) thickness with H8 hydrogen designation, per AASHTO/AWS D1.5:2025, the Bridge Welding Code.
M270M Gr.345S / M270 Gr.50S
AASHTO M270M Gr.345S (M270 Gr.50S) is the structural shape variant of Gr.345, intended for rolled W-shapes and channels used in bridge framing. The "S" suffix indicates the shape-specific chemistry and mechanical property requirements. Used in cross-frame angles, diaphragm members, and built-up sections where rolled shapes are specified rather than plate. Preheat requirements match Gr.345 — Table 6.3 Group 1 for NFC, Tables 12.4/12.5 for FC applications.
Understanding the FC Preheat for M270M Gr.345S / M270 Gr.50S
Shape-grade 345 MPa (50 ksi) steel for rolled bridge members. Under D1.5 fracture-critical requirements (Clause 12), the combination of H8 hydrogen designation and this heat input band requires 275°F minimum preheat at > 60 mm (> 2½ in). Lower hydrogen levels (H4 < H8 < H16) allow lower preheat because less hydrogen enters the weld deposit. Similarly, higher heat input reduces preheat requirements because slower cooling rates give hydrogen more time to diffuse out.
Where M270M Gr.345S / M270 Gr.50S Is Used
Used as rolled W-shapes and channels in bridge cross-frames, diaphragm members, and built-up sections. The "S" shape designation indicates procurement under AASHTO M270 with shape-specific chemistry and mandatory CVN testing. Common applications include WT sections for cross-frame members, MC channels for diaphragms, and W-shapes for floor beams on shorter spans. Weld details are primarily fillet welds at gusset connections and clip angles.
H8 Hydrogen Control for M270M Gr.345S / M270 Gr.50S
For Gr.345S (50S) rolled shapes, H8 is adequate for most connection details where the weld length is short and access allows proper preheat application. Cross-frame gusset connections rarely justify the cost premium of H4 consumables when H8 meets the FC preheat budget.
Why Preheat Matters at > 60 mm (> 2½ in)
Material over 65 mm (2-1/2 in) includes the heaviest bridge girder flanges and box-section walls. Table 6.3 requires 110°C (225°F) for both groups at this thickness. Extended preheat soak time is necessary to achieve uniform through-thickness temperature. FC preheat for the heaviest sections reaches 180–200°C (350–400°F) at the H16 hydrogen level.
M270M Gr.345S / M270 Gr.50S at > 60 mm (> 2½ in)
Gr.345S (50S) above 65 mm flange thickness is limited to the heaviest jumbo W-shapes (W14×730 or similar) used in critical transfer structures. These sections have significant residual stress from the rolling process that compounds with welding stresses. Full 225°F preheat plus controlled cooling is essential — some fabricators specify post-weld hydrogen release holds at 400°F for 2 hours on jumbo section connections.
Other Bridge Steels at H8 > 2.8 kJ/mm · > 60 mm (> 2½ in)
| Steel | Table | Preheat |
|---|---|---|
| M270M Gr.250 / M270 Gr.36 | A | 275°F (140°C) |
| M270M Gr.345W / M270 Gr.50W | B | 325°F (160°C) |
| M270M HPS345W / M270 HPS50W | B | 325°F (160°C) |
| M270M HPS485W / M270 HPS70W | B | 325°F (160°C) |
M270M Gr.345S / M270 Gr.50S at H8 > 2.8 kJ/mm
Try Different Combinations
Use the D1.5 Bridge Preheat Calculator to look up any AASHTO M270 steel, hydrogen level, and heat input combination. Also see the D1.1 Preheat Calculator for structural steel.
Related Guides
For fracture-critical M270M Gr.345S / M270 Gr.50S welded with H8-designated consumables at > 60 mm (> 2½ in) thickness and > 2.8 kJ/mm heat input, the minimum preheat is 275°F (140°C) per D1.5 Table 12.4/12.5.
Non-fracture-critical (Table 6.3) preheat is a simple thickness-based lookup. Fracture-critical (Tables 12.4–12.8) adds hydrogen level and heat input as variables, typically requiring higher preheat. For FC members, the hydrogen designator on the consumable classification directly determines the minimum preheat.
Higher heat input means slower cooling rates, giving hydrogen more time to diffuse out of the weld zone. At > 2.8 kJ/mm, the 275°F preheat balances the hydrogen level and cooling rate. Moving to a higher heat input band would typically reduce the required preheat for the same hydrogen level and thickness.
Table 6.3 converges at 110°C (225°F) for both groups at this thickness because the dominant factor becomes hydrogen diffusion distance through the thick section rather than the steel’s hardenability. Even Group 1 steels need substantial preheat at 65+ mm to keep cooling rates slow enough for safe hydrogen escape.
D1.5:2025 reference data. Not affiliated with AWS or AASHTO.