process is SMAW, material is A36, limited thickness plate. V groove with backing plate.

The primary difference is that the welder cannot use a grinder or any power tools for interpass cleaning when welding the test plates for D1.5. Additionally, D1.5 will not allow the use of hand tools, i.e., files, cheisels, saw blades, etc. to change the profile to the weld bead. In other words, excess reinforcement cannot be reduced by filing the face of the bead to improve the profile.

The base metal used for D1.5 must be a listed base metal, i.e., ASTM A709 Grade XX, rather than simply ASTM A36 (if my memory is correct).

D1.1 allows interpass cleaning using power tools or hand tools. That is permitted by the D1.1 code, but if the welder is taking my test, i.e., I'm signing on the dotted line, only hand tools can be used for interpass cleaning. I want to qualify welders, not professional grinders, when qualifying welders on plate for structural applications. I do not allow the welder to reposition the test plates for cleaning or welding once the test has started. Once in position and the first arc struck, the test plates don't move until they are taken down for final evaluation, i.e., bend testing or radiography.

D1.1 has special qualification requirements for T, Y, and K tubular connections where backing is not used. D1.5 does not address tubular structures, so there is no equivalent welder qualification test.

Typically a welder qualified to D1.5 is acceptable for work meeting D1.1, but a welder qualified to D1.1 is not permitted to weld per D1.5 without requalification per D1.5

I hope this is some help in answering your question.

Best regards - Al

Sam,

WELCOME TO THE AWS WELDING FORUM AS WELL!!

Al, thank you for that answer.  As D1.5 is not something I have experience in it is always nice to see posts like this and have my memory refreshed as to some of the differences in the Codes.  A very simple and concise answer that deals with several key differences makes it easy for my simple mind to keep straight.

Hope the OP and Sam got the info they desired.  I'm sure that there are many other differences as well.  And other posters may pop in to give us their two pennies worth.

Have a Great Day,  Brent