AWS D1.3 - D1.3M-2018 PDF

Full title and description

AWS D1.3/D1.3M:2018 — Structural Welding Code — Sheet Steel. This American Welding Society (AWS) code establishes requirements for arc welding of structural sheet and strip steels (including cold‑formed members) and certain thin‑walled tubular members, addressing design, prequalification, qualification, fabrication and inspection provisions for welded sheet‑steel construction.

Abstract

The D1.3/D1.3M:2018 code covers welding requirements for sheet steel with specified yield strength up to about 80 ksi (≈550 MPa) and nominal thicknesses generally up to 3/16 in (≈5 mm). It includes requirements for welded joints made from common low‑carbon hot‑rolled and cold‑rolled sheet and strip steels (including galvanized product), prequalification and qualification of welding procedures and personnel, fabrication controls, acceptance criteria and inspection methods. The code also includes provisions for hollow structural section (HSS) or tubular members with very thin walls where applicable.

General information

• Status: Superseded in the AWS suite by a later revision (AWS D1.3/D1.3M:2025); the 2018 edition remains a published historical edition.
• Publication date: 2018 (commonly listed as January 1, 2018 for the 2018 edition).
• Publisher: American Welding Society (AWS).
• ICS / categories: 25.160 (Welding, brazing and soldering), typically associated with welded joints and welds (ICS 25.160.40) and welding in general (ICS 25.160.01).
• Edition / version: 2018 edition (D1.3/D1.3M:2018).
• Number of pages: 106 pages (typical published pagination for the 2018 edition).

Scope

This code applies to arc welding of structural sheet and strip steels (nominal thicknesses generally ≤ 3/16 in / ≈5 mm) having a minimum specified yield point not greater than about 80 ksi (≈550 MPa). It covers welded joints in common structural quality low‑carbon hot‑rolled and cold‑rolled sheet and strip steels, including coated (galvanized) product, and includes limited provisions for thin‑walled HSS/tubular members (wall thicknesses below approximately 1/8 in / 3 mm). Design requirements for HSS member connections are outside the code’s design scope; when specified in contract documents, full conformance with the code is required unless the Engineer or contract documents state otherwise.

Key topics and requirements

• Material applicability and thickness limits (sheet/strip steels and thin-walled tubular members).
• Design considerations and allowable load/capacity guidance for sheet‑steel welded connections.
• Prequalification of welding procedure specifications (WPS) and requirements for procedure qualification testing.
• Welder and welding operator performance qualification requirements.
• Fabrication controls including fitup, joint preparation, welding methods and consumable selection (including guidance for galvanized and coated materials).
• Inspection and acceptance criteria, including methods of nondestructive examination and criteria for reject/repair.
• Supplementary annexes and illustrative figures/tables to support implementation and interpretation.

Typical use and users

AWS D1.3/D1.3M:2018 is used by welding engineers, fabricators, sheet‑metal manufacturers, structural designers, quality and inspection personnel, contractors and public agencies specifying or performing welding on sheet steel products such as decks, panels, racks, stud/joist framing and thin‑walled tubular components where sheet‑steel welding practices and qualifications are required.

Related standards

Commonly used together with or related to: AWS D1.1/D1.1M (Structural Welding Code — Steel), AWS D1.2/D1.2M (Aluminum), AWS D1.4/D1.4M (Steel Reinforcing Bars), AWS D9.1/D9.1M (Sheet Metal Welding Code) and AWS A2.4 / A3.0 (welding symbols and terms). The AWS/ANSI product packages and code sets often bundle D1.3 with D1.1 and related documents for cross‑reference.

Keywords

structural welding, sheet steel, D1.3, D1.3M, AWS, welding procedure specification, WPS, welder qualification, prequalification, inspection, thin‑walled HSS, galvanized sheet, fabrication, acceptance criteria.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: AWS D1.3/D1.3M:2018 is the American Welding Society’s Structural Welding Code — Sheet Steel; it sets welding, qualification, fabrication and inspection requirements specific to sheet and strip structural steels.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers arc welding requirements for sheet and strip steels (nominal thicknesses generally up to 3/16 in / ≈5 mm), including prequalification and qualification of procedures and personnel, fabrication controls, inspection and acceptance criteria; limited provisions for thin‑walled tubular (HSS) members are also included.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Welding engineers, fabricators, sheet‑metal manufacturers, inspectors, contractors and agencies that design, specify or perform welding on sheet‑steel structures and components.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2018 edition has been superseded in the AWS code suite by a later revision (AWS D1.3/D1.3M:2025). The 2018 text remains a published edition and may still be referenced where specified in contracts, but users should confirm whether contract documents or authorities require the 2025 edition or the 2018 edition. (Status checked as of February 22, 2026.)

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the AWS D1 family of Structural Welding Codes (D1.1 for general steel, D1.2 for aluminum, D1.4 for reinforcing bars, D1.6 for stainless, etc.), and is frequently packaged with related AWS standards such as A2.4 (welding symbols) and A3.0 (definitions).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: structural welding, sheet steel, WPS (welding procedure specification), welder qualification, prequalification, inspection, acceptance criteria, HSS, galvanized, AWS D1.3.