NDE Requirements Lookup
Determine which nondestructive examination methods are required for your weld joint per AWS D1.1:2025 Clause 8. Select your joint configuration and loading condition to see the applicable NDE methods, acceptance criteria clauses, and UT indication classes.
Table 8.2 / 8.3 — UT Indication Classes
Look up the UT acceptance-rejection indication rating for your weld. Class A = reject. Class D = accept. Classes B and C depend on discontinuity length per the notes below the table.
How D1.1 Specifies Inspection
AWS D1.1:2025 Clause 8 organizes inspection into seven parts. Part A (General Requirements) establishes inspector qualifications and responsibilities. Part B covers contractor obligations. Part C defines acceptance criteria for visual inspection (Table 8.1), UT (Tables 8.2 and 8.3), and RT (Clause 8.12). Parts D through G cover NDT procedures, RT, UT, and other methods (MT/PT).
Required on all welds per Clause 8.9. Acceptance criteria in Table 8.1 cover cracks, fusion, crater cross-section, weld profiles, undersize, undercut, and porosity. Statically and cyclically loaded connections have different criteria.
Uses X-rays or gamma rays per Clause 8.12. Produces permanent film record. RT acceptance criteria differ for static (8.12.1) and cyclic (8.12.2) loading. IQI requirements in Tables 8.4 and 8.5.
Sound wave testing per Clause 8.13. Acceptance criteria in Table 8.2 (static + cyclic compression) and Table 8.3 (cyclic tension). Four severity classes (A-D) with indication ratings by weld size and search angle.
Magnetic particle (MT) and penetrant (PT) testing per Clause 8.10. Detect surface and near-surface flaws. MT is for ferromagnetic materials only. Both use Table 8.1 acceptance criteria.
Continue Your Compliance Check
NDE Requirements FAQ
D1.1:2025 requires visual inspection (VT) on all welds per Clause 8.9. Additional NDT methods — RT, UT, MT, and PT — are specified in the contract documents by the Engineer per Clause 8.1.1. The Engineer designates the categories of welds to be examined, the extent of examination, and the method or methods of testing.
Radiographic testing (RT) uses X-rays or gamma rays to create a permanent film record of internal discontinuities. Ultrasonic testing (UT) uses high-frequency sound waves to detect internal flaws. RT provides a permanent record but has thickness limitations. UT is faster, portable, and works on thicker materials. D1.1 provides acceptance criteria for RT in Clause 8.12 and for UT in Clause 8.13 with Tables 8.2 and 8.3.
Magnetic particle testing (MT) and penetrant testing (PT) detect surface and near-surface discontinuities per D1.1 Clause 8.10. MT works only on ferromagnetic materials. PT works on any material. Both use the acceptance criteria in Table 8.1. The Engineer specifies when MT or PT is required in the contract documents per Clause 8.1.1.
Table 8.2 provides UT acceptance-rejection criteria for statically loaded nontubular connections and cyclically loaded connections in compression. It uses four discontinuity severity classes (A through D) with indication ratings that vary by weld size, search unit angle (70, 60, or 45 degrees), and material thickness. Class A indications are rejected regardless of length. Class D indications are accepted regardless of length or location.
AWS D1.1/D1.1M:2025 (current edition)