You have three parameters that have to be determined.
1) Hydrogen Control - H1, H2, H3 - most fabricators can meet H2 using low hydrogen electrodes or a low hydrogen process without any difficulty.
2) Calculate Ce using the equation provided. This will be based on the chemistry of the steel you are welding. Based on the Ce, you will determine what "Susceptibility Group" you fall into, i.e., A, B, C, .... G
3) Determine the degree of restraint, Low, Medium, or High. I'm conservative, I consider the material thickness, rigidity of the structure, and if a circular patch is involved, I go with "High" restraint.
With the information determined above, go to the table XI-2 (I happen to be looking at D1.1-2004) and pick the appropriate preheat from the matrix.
Example: Ce = <.28 and you are in the H2 group - you will be in the Susceptibility group D
The material is 2 inches thick, with a highly restrained joint.
From the table - Left column - go down to "High" restraint and select the row for 2 inches thick material
Move horizontally to the column for group D and you will see the preheat temperature is 300 degrees F
Hope this helps.
I use this method whenever I'm repairing heavy machinery, steel castings, etc. All I need to do is have a sample of the base metal analyized for chemistry and I'm ready to go to work.
Best regards - Al