Project Information
Statically Loaded: Undercut ≤ 1/32″ (t ≤ 1″) or 1/16″ (t > 1″). Porosity: max 3/8″ diameter per occurrence.
Weld Data & Pass/Fail

Add each weld. For each AWS D1.1 Table 6.1 criterion, select Pass / Fail / N/A. The report auto-generates the disposition.

# Weld ID Length Size Position Cracks Fusion Crater Profile Undersize Undercut Porosity Notes
Inspection Report

Fill in your project details, add weld rows with pass/fail results, and click Generate. Your AWS D1.1 inspection report will appear here.

Criteria per AWS D1.1:2020 Table 6.1

Inspection Report
ACCEPTED — All welds passed
Welds Inspected
total
Accepted
pass
Rejected
require repair
Weld ID Length Size Position Result Failed Criteria Notes
CWI Report Narrative

What AWS D1.1 Visual Inspection Requires

AWS D1.1 Section 6.9 mandates visual inspection of all welds before any other NDT. Table 6.1 lists the minimum acceptance criteria — every structural weld must be checked against all applicable items.

These criteria apply to completed welds after cleaning. Inspection requires adequate lighting (minimum 1 foot-candle), calibrated weld gauges, and a CWI or qualified inspector to make the final disposition.

AWS D1.1:2020 Cl. 6.9.1

Crack Prohibition

No cracks of any kind permitted in weld metal, HAZ, or base metal.

AWS D1.1:2020 Cl. 6.9.2

Weld/Base Metal Fusion

Complete fusion between weld passes and between weld and base metal required. No lack of fusion (LOF) visible.

AWS D1.1:2020 Cl. 6.9.3

Crater Cross Section

All craters shall be filled to provide the specified weld size. No crater reduction below the required weld cross-section.

AWS D1.1:2020 Cl. 6.9.4

Weld Profile (per Fig. 5.4)

Weld faces shall conform to AWS D1.1 Figure 5.4 profile requirements. Convexity, concavity, and overlap checked.

AWS D1.1:2020 Cl. 6.9.5

Weld Size (Under-run)

Weld size shall not be less than the required size by more than the permitted under-run tolerance.

AWS D1.1:2020 Cl. 6.9.6

Undercut

Undercut at the weld toe shall not exceed the permitted depth. Measured perpendicular to the surface.

AWS D1.1:2020 Cl. 6.9.7

Porosity (Groove Welds)

Visible porosity in groove welds. Diameter and frequency limits apply.

AWS D1.1:2020 Cl. 6.9.8

Porosity (Fillet Welds)

Visible porosity in fillet welds. Diameter and frequency limits apply.

How It Works

01

Enter Project Metadata

Project name, location, contractor, inspector name and cert number, WPS reference, base metal and filler.

02

Add Welds + Pass/Fail

Add each weld ID with length, size, and position. Select pass, fail, or N/A for each Table 6.1 criterion. Notes per weld for rejected items.

03

Generate & Print

Get a formatted report with per-weld summary, overall disposition (accepted or rejected), CWI findings narrative, and a print-ready PDF with signature block.

Acceptance Criteria by Service Category

AWS D1.1 Table 6.1 differentiates between statically loaded and cyclically loaded structures because fatigue failure dominates in cyclic loading.

Statically Loaded

Buildings, frames, platforms

Undercut: ≤ 1/32″ for t ≤ 1″, ≤ 1/16″ for t > 1″. Porosity (groove): max 3/8″ diameter in 12″, ≤ 3/4″ total diameter per linear inch. Porosity (fillet): max 3/8″ diameter.

Cyclically Loaded / Seismic

Crane runways, bridges, industrial equipment, seismic SFRS

Undercut: ≤ 1/32″ regardless of thickness. Porosity: no visible porosity permitted. Crack prohibition, fusion, crater, profile, and undersize same as statically loaded.

Frequently Asked Questions

What visual inspection criteria does AWS D1.1 Table 6.1 cover?
AWS D1.1 Table 6.1 covers eight criteria: (1) Crack prohibition — no cracks of any kind, (2) Weld/base metal fusion — no visible LOF, (3) Crater cross section — craters must be filled to the required weld size, (4) Weld profile per Figure 5.4 — convexity, concavity, and overlap limits, (5) Weld size under-run — max 1/16″ in any 12″, (6) Undercut — depth limits differ for statically vs. cyclically loaded structures, (7) Porosity in groove welds — frequency and diameter limits, (8) Porosity in fillet welds — frequency and diameter limits. All criteria must be evaluated for every visible weld.
How does AWS D1.1 differ from ASME Section IX for inspection?
AWS D1.1 applies to structural steel fabrication and erection — buildings, bridges, platforms, crane runways. ASME Section IX applies to pressure vessels and piping systems (boilers, pressure piping, heat exchangers). Visual acceptance criteria differ: ASME B31.3 process piping has its own visual inspection requirements. IronKit's WPS Generator supports all three codes (AWS D1.1, ASME IX, API 1104), but this inspection checklist specifically targets AWS D1.1 Table 6.1 structural weld visual criteria.
What is undercut and why does it get rejected?
Undercut is a groove melted into the base metal at the weld toe that isn't filled by weld metal. It creates a stress concentration and reduces the effective cross-section of the base metal at the joint. For statically loaded structures, AWS D1.1 limits undercut to 1/32″ depth on material 1″ or less, and 1/16″ on thicker material. For cyclically loaded structures — where fatigue is the failure mode — the limit is 1/32″ regardless of thickness. Undercut that exceeds these limits must be repaired (reweld or grind to blend) before the weld can be accepted.
Do I need a CWI to sign off on AWS D1.1 inspection?
AWS D1.1 Clause 6.1 requires that welding inspection be performed by a qualified welding inspector. A Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential from the American Welding Society is the standard qualification. Some jurisdictions accept other inspector qualifications (AWS SCWI, CWE, or an engineer with demonstrable knowledge) depending on the project specification and jurisdiction. Your contract and the applicable building code govern who is acceptable. For code-required structural steel work, most specifications explicitly require AWS CWI or equivalent.
Can I use this tool for stainless steel or aluminum welds?
AWS D1.1 applies specifically to structural carbon and low-alloy steel. Stainless steel welding is governed by AWS D1.6, and aluminum structural welding by AWS D1.2 — each has its own visual inspection requirements and acceptance criteria tables. This checklist generates reports per AWS D1.1 Table 6.1. For stainless or aluminum structural work, consult D1.6 or D1.2 acceptance criteria respectively. The project information fields and weld entry format are the same regardless of material.

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