What size die post should be used for testing 1/4" thick A36 plate per D1.1 for performance quals? I know the limited test plate diagrams only show 3/8" thick plate and Table 4.11 doesn't offer anything thinner than 3/8". Although Table 4.2 allows for procedure quals less than 3/8" thick. Is it to be understood that testing plate thicknesses less than 3/8" is not allowed for performance quals? One would think face and root bends would be tested around a 1" (4t) diameter die post for 1/4" thick plate. But there are no provisions (nomographs, charts or formulas) to determine this die post size, you are only lead to 1-1/2" diameter.
Yet if you go to Section 9, Table 9.14 allows for the testing of pipe/tube test coupons with wall thicknesses less than 3/8" thick. Section 9 sends you back to Section 4 for your dies post size. So then if a welder tested on 6" sch 40 (.280" wall) per the code you would test his face and roots on am 1-1/2" diameter die post? That seems rather generous.
Am I missing something?