Hybrid Laser Arc Welding for Steel Highway Structures

Hybrid laser arc welding (HLAW), typically a combination of gas metal arc welding and laser welding, has been used in the nuclear, pipeline, shipbuilding, and other heavy manufacturing/fabrication industries since its development in the 1980s. Over time, it has become a viable option to use with commercially available welding equipment. However, HLAW is not used in bridge welding because it does not align with the essential variables for welding, weld design guidelines, and inspection criteria in the AASHTO/AWS D1.5 Bridge Welding Code. HLAW is sometimes used for ancillary structures under AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code, but with limited guidance. Research is needed to develop guidelines for the application of HLAW in steel bridges and other highway structural components. The objective of this research is to develop guidelines for the application of HLAW in steel bridges and other highway structural components. It shall include all aspects of welding procedures, qualification, and inspection for commonly used carbon steel grades, including ASTM A709, A595, A500, A1085, and API 5L X52.

• Record URL:
  • http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5861
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Proposed
• Funding: $600,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 10-155

• Sponsor Organizations:

  National Cooperative Highway Research Program

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

  444 North Capitol Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Abu-Hawash, Ahmad

• Start Date: 20260803
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Lasers; Recommendations; Steel bridges; Validation; Welding
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01956430
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project 10-155
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: May 27 2025 9:05PM