ASME/ANSI 831.

3
Interpretations No. 7
Replies to Technical Inquiries
May 1, 1988, Through April 30, 1989

Gener~1 Inform~tion

It has been agreed to publish interpretations issued by the 831 Committee concerning 831.3 as
part of the subscription service. The interpretations have been assigned numbers in chronological order.
An interpretation applies to the Edition or Addenda stated in the interpretation or, if none is stated, to
the Edition or Addenda in effect on the date of issuance of the interpretation. Subsequent revisions to
the Code may have superseded the reply. The interpret~tions ~re not part of the Code or its
Addend~.
These replies are taken verbatim from the original letters, except for a few typographical and
editorial corrections made for the purpose of improved clarity. In some instances, a review of the
interpretation revealed a need for corrections of a technical na,ture. In these cases, a revised reply,
bearing the original intrepretation number with the 'suffix R, is presented.
ASME procedures provide for reconsideration of these interpretations when or if additional infor-
mation is available which the inquirer believes might affect the interpretation. Further, persons ag-
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in the Statement of Policy in the Code documents, ASME does not "approve," "certify," "rate," or
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For detailed instructions on preparation of technical inquiries to the 831 Committee, refer to
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Code Reference ~nd Subject Indexes

Code Reference and Subject Indexes have been prepared to assist the user in locating interpreta-
tions by location or by subject matter in the Code. They cover interpretations issued from Volume 1
up to and including the present volume, and will be updated with each volume.

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 831.3

Subject Interpretation File No.

Paras. 300, 300.1, and Fig. 300.1.1; Applicability , . 710 83188022

Paras. 300(c)(3) and (5), and 302.3.5; Longitudinal Stresses and Longitudinal
8ending Stresses-Sustained Loads . 6-03R 831-87-022"
Paras.'3OO(c)(3l, 302.3.5, 319.2.3, and 319.7; Piping Supports . 7-05 831-88-001
Paras. 301.2, 302.2.4, and 322.6.3; Pressure Relief Device Set Pressure . 7-01 831-87-021
Paras. 302.2.4, 302.3.5, and 319.2.3; Allowable Stress-Calculating Displacement
Stress Range . 7-04 831-87-041
Paras. 304.3.3 and 328; Spacing of Welds. . '.' 7-02 831-87-039
Para. 305.2.3, and Tables A1 and A1 B; Spiral Welded Pipe . 7-03 831-87-040
Para. 328.5.4(f) and Fig. 328.5.40; 8ranch Reinforcement . 7-08 B31-88-OO9
Para. A327.2.4; Qualification Test for CPVC Piping . 7-09 831-88-021
Paras. K315 and K322.3; Tubing Joints-Instrument Piping . 7-07 831-88-008
Table 327.4.1A; Weld Acceptance Criteria-Concavity and Convexity . 706 B31-88-002

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 831.3 Interpretations No. 7 6-03R,7-01

Interpret~tion: 6-03R

Subject: ANSI/ASME B31.3-1984 Edition, Paras. 300(c)(3) and (5), and 302.3.5;
Longitudinal Stresses and Longitudinal Bending Stresses-Sustained Loads

Date Issued: May 24, 1988

Item: B31-87-022

Question (1): In accordance with ANSI/ASME B31.3, para. 302.3.5(c), when calculating the
longitudinal stresses due to pressure, weight and other sustained loads, should the thickness of pipe
used in calculating SL be the nominal thickness minus mechanical, corrosion, and erosion allowances
but not minus the manufacturer's mill tolerance?

Reply (1): Yes.

Question (2): In accordance with ANSI/ASME B31.3, para. 302.3.5(C) when calculating the
longitudinal bending stresses due to sustained loads, what stress intensification factors should be
applied?

Reply (2): ANSI/ ASME B31.3 does not address the application of stress intensification factors for
longitudinal stress due to sustained loads; but see ANSI/ASME B31.3, paras. 300(c)(3) and (5).

Interpret~tion: 7-01
r.-
\~~t;. Subject: ANSI/ASME 831.3-1984 Edition with Addenda through 831.3c-1986, Paras.
301.2, 302.2.4, and 322.6.3; Pressure Relief ~vice Set Pressure

Date Issued: May 24,1988

File: B31-87-021

Question: In accordance with ANSI/ ASME 831.3, paras. 301.2 and 322.6.3, may the set pressure
of a single pressure relieving device for a piping system be chosen higher than the design pressure of
the piping system provided para. 302.2.4 is satisfied for the maximum relieving pressure?

Reply: No.

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7-02,7-03 831.3 Interpretations No. 7

Interpretation: 7-02

Subject: ASME/ ANSI B31.3-1987 Edition, Paras. 304.3.3 and 328; Spacing of Welds

Date Issued: May 24, 1988

File: B31-87-039
I
Question: In accordance with ASME/ ANSI B31.3, are there requirements or guidelines on the
minimum distance between welds in a pipe?

Reply: No, except as provided in para. 304.3.3(e).

Interpretation: 7-03

Subject: ASME/ANSI B31.3-1987 Edition, Para. 305.2.3, and Tables A-1 and A-1 B; Spiral
Welded Pipe

Date Issued: May 24, 1988

File: B31-87-040

Question (1): In accordance with ASME/ANSI B31.3, Table A-1, does ASTM A 671 and A 672
as listed, apply for both straight welded pipes and spiral welded pipes?

Reply (1): No. ASTM A 671 and A 672 do not include spiral welded pipe. ASTM specifications
covering spiral welded pipe include "spiral welding" in their scope. These include ASTM A 134, A 139
and A 211. API-5L also includes spiral welding. See ASME/ ANSI B31.3, Table A-1 B.

Question (2): In accordance with ASME/ ANSI B31.3, para. 305.2.3, can carbon steel spiral
welded pipe be used for severe cyclic service?

Reply (2): No.

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 831.3 Interpretations No. 7 7-04

Interpretation: 7-04

Subject: ASME/ ANSI 831.3-1987 Edition, Paras. 302.2.4, 302.3.5, and 319.2.3; Allowable
Stress-Calculating Displacement Stress Range

Date Issued: May 24, 1988

File: 831-87-041

Question (1): In accordance with ASME/ ANSI 831.3, para. 302.3.5, should the basic allowable
stress at maximum metal temperature Sh used for calculating the allowable displacement stress range,
be for the normal upPer temperature under operatif1g conditions, and exclude all short-time excursions
above such normal operating temperature?

Reply (1): No. In accordance with para. 319.2.3, the allowable displacement stress range is based
on the maximum and minimum temperatures for the displacement cycle under analysis. .

Question (2): Are the provisions of ASME/ ANSI 831.3, para. 302.2.4 applicable for establishing
the allowable displacemeot stress range for flexibility analysis?

Reply (2): No.

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7S
1-05, 1-06 831.3 Interpretations No. 1

Interpretation: 7-oS
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Subject: ANSI/ ASME B31.3-1984 Edition with Addenda through B31.3c-1986, Paras.
300(c)(J), 302.3.5, 319.2.3 and 319.7; Piping Supports

Date Issued: May 24, 1988

File: B31-88-001

Question (1): When a pipe moves away from a support, should the longitudinal stresses for the
pipe in the installed po~ition, or the longitudinal stresses for the pipe in the operating position, or both,
be compared to ANSI/ASME B31.3 allowable in accordance with para. 302.3.5(c>?

Reply (1): Both. See also para. 300(c)(3).

Question (2): Does ANSI/ ASME B31.3 require the evaluation of the secondary effects of pressure,
such as pressure expansion and elongation or the Bourdon effect with bends?

Reply (2): No. See also para. 300(c)(3).

Question (3): Does ANSI/ ASM E B31 .3 address the stresses caused by axial forces in the displace-
ment stress calculations?

Reply (3): No. See also paras. 300(c)(3) and 319.7.

Question (4): What is the ANSI/ASME B31.3 definition of "displacement stress range"?

Reply (4): The displacement stress range is defined in para. 319.2.3 as tIthe algebraic difference
between the extreme displacement condition and the original (as installed) condition (or any anticipated
condition with a greater differential effect)."

Interpretation: 7-06

Subject: ANSI/ASME B31.3-1984 Edition with the B31.3a-1984 Addenda, Table 327.4.1A;
Weld Acceptance Criteria-Concavity and Convexity .

Date Issued: May 24, 1988

File: B31-88-002

Question: Is it the intent of ANSI/ASME B31.3 to interpret concavity and convexity by radiogra-
phy on welds required by B31 .3 or the engineering design to be radiographed when this interpretation
can not be made by visual examination?

Reply: For concavity, yes. ANSI/ASME B31.3 does not address convexity except as "internal
protrusion" or "external reinforcement," neither of which is evaluated by radiography.

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 831.3 Interpretations No. 7 7-07, 7-88, 7-09

Interpretation: 7-07

Subject: ASME/ANSI B31.3-1987 Edition, Paras. K315 and K322.3; Tubing

Joints-Instrument Piping

Date Issued: May 24, 1988

File: B31-88-008

Question: Does ASME/ANSI B31.3, para. K31 5 apply to process control (instrument piping) tube
fittings and tube jo!nts?

Reply: Yes.

Interpretation: 7-oS

Subject: ASME/ANSI B31.3-1987 Edition, Para. 328.5.4(f) and Fig. 328.5.40; Branch
Reinforcement

Date Issued: May 24, 1988

File: B31-88-009

Question: In accordance with ASME/ANSI B31.3, para. 328.5.4(f), is the attachment weld be-
tween the reinforcement member and the run pipe required for a full encirclement type reinforcement
installation?

Reply: ASME/ANSI B31.3 does not specifically address full encirclement branch reinforcement.
The Committee will be studying this item for possible future revisions.

Interpretation: 7-09

Subject: ANSI/ASME B31.3-1984 Edition, Para. A327.2.4; Qualification Test for CPVC
Piping

Date Issued: December 8, 1988

Item: B31-88-o21

Question: For CPVC plastic piping, is there a discrepancy between the hydrostatic test require-
ments in para. A327.2.4 for qualifying a bonding procedure specification (BPS) and the hydrostatic
burst strength requirement for solvent cemented joints in ASTM F 493?

Reply: No. ANSI/ASME B31.3, para. A327.2.4 requires that a test assembly containing joints
withstand a hydrostatic test pressure of fo,:,r times the design pressure. ASTM F 493 qualifies the cement
used in the joint.

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7-10 831.3 Interpretations NO.7

Interpretation: 7-10
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Subject: ASME/ANSI B31.3-1987 Edition, Paras. 300, 300.1, and Fig. 300.1.1;
Applicability

Date Issued: December 8, 1988

Item: B31-88-022

Question: Which section of the ASME/ ANSI B31 Code for Pressure Piping covers piping for a
transmission line between an oil terminal and a tank farm part of the piping being accessible to the
public?

Reply: ASME/ ANSI B31.3 and 831.4; see Fig. 300.1.1 of B31.3.

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