The American Welding Society (AWS), in collaboration with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), has released American National Standard (ANS) AASHTO/AWS D1.5M/D1.5:2025, Bridge Welding Code, the latest edition for welding fabrication requirements applicable to steel highway bridges and bridge components, to be used in conjunction with the applicable AASHTO design specifications.

AASHTO/AWS D1.5M/D1.5 is the premier reference used by professionals responsible for the strength, safety, and reliability of steel bridge structures across the United States. Whether welding is performed in a fabrication facility or in the field, AASHTO/AWS D1.5M/D1.5 provides the procedures, testing requirements, and acceptance criteria necessary to meet rigorous performance expectations.

“The release of  D1.5:2025 reinforces AWS’s commitment to safe, effective bridge welding practices,” said Jennifer Molin, Director of Standards Committee Operations at AWS. “This edition reflects ongoing developments in bridge fabrication and repair, ensuring the code continues to meet the needs of today’s bridge welding professionals.”

Key updates in the AASHTO/AWS D1.5M/D1.5:2025 edition include:

• Addition of flare-bevel groove welds for design
• Provisions for unlisted base metals, fillet weld qualifications, postweld heat treatment, SMAW restrictions
• Provisions for undercut tolerances
• Clarification of fracture critical welding personnel qualification
• Editorial changes to improve clarity, consistency, and ease of use

AASHTO/AWS D1.5M/D1.5 is designed to support engineers, inspectors, and welding personnel with a shared framework for critical decision-making on infrastructure projects. The 2025 edition updates the advanced ultrasonic inspection requirements to align with AWS D1.1/D1.1M:2025, Structural Welding Code-Steel.

AASHTO/AWS D1.5M/D1.5:2025 is available now through the AWS Bookstore.