In which year was the first welding specification for bridges published by AWS?

The first welding specification for bridges was published by the American Welding Society (AWS) in 1936. This marked a significant milestone in the field of welding as it established standardized practices and guidelines that could be applied to bridge construction.

The development of welding specifications was crucial because it provided engineers, manufacturers, and contractors with a framework to ensure the safety and reliability of welded structures. Prior to this, welding was used in various applications, but there was a lack of formal guidelines to govern the quality and performance of welded joints in critical structures like bridges.

The choice of 1936 reflects a time when engineering practices were evolving, and there was a growing recognition of the importance of structured specifications to address the complexities introduced by welding methods. This specification has since contributed to advancements in welding technology and practices used across the construction industry.