Loadings and Sign Convention

All loadings are assumed to act through a point on the centre-line of the nozzle or attachment,
either at the surface of the shell or at a particular standout, as specified by the user. The X, Y
and Z axes are defined as follows:

 X axis - The longitudinal axis parallel to the centre-line of the shell, positive in the
direction from end location 2 to end location 1.

 Y axis - The axis tangential to the shell in the circumferential direction, positive in the
direction 90° anti-clockwise from the X axis when looking towards the centre of the
shell.

 Z axis - The radial axis normal to the surface of the shell, positive in the direction
outwards from the centre of the shell.

The following loadings may be specified for any type of attachment:

 Load X (long shear) - A longitudinal shear load acting in the direction of the X axis.
This corresponds to the load VL in WRC 107 and WRC 297.

 Load Y (circ shear) - A circumferential shear load acting in the direction of the Y
axis. This corresponds to the load VC in WRC 107 and WRC 297.

 Load Z (radial) - A radial load acting in the direction of the Z axis. This corresponds
to the load P in WRC 107 and WRC 297. NOTE: The sign convention for the load P
in WRC 107 is opposite to that used by this program and by WRC 297.

 Moment X (circ) - A circumferential bending moment acting about the X axis. This
corresponds to the moment MC in WRC 107 and WRC 297. NOTE: The sign
convention for the moment MC in WRC 107 is opposite to that used by this program
and by WRC 297.

 Moment Y (long) - A longitudinal bending moment acting about the Y axis. This
corresponds to the moment ML in WRC 107 and WRC 297.

 Moment Z (torsion) - A torsional moment acting about the Z axis. This corresponds to
the moment MT in WRC 107 and WRC 297.

All loads and moments may be specified as positive or negative. A positive load acts in the
direction of the relevant axis as shown in the diagram below. A positive moment acts about
the relevant axis using the right hand screw rule.
Rotation of Axes
The program includes a facility for converting the loading data from any arbitrary set of axes
to those defined in Loadings and Sign Convention. This is achieved by rotation about each
axis as required. The operation of this facility is best explained by means of a worked
example.

Consider a nozzle in a vertical vessel. The loadings are specified for a set of axes where the X
axis is vertical (positive upwards), the Y axis is at 30° to the face of the flange on the nozzle
and the Z axis is at 30° to the centre-line of the nozzle. The following loadings are given:

Load X 1000
Load Y 2000
Load Z 3000
Moment X 400000
Moment Y 500000
Moment Z 600000
The Rotate about axis option is set to X axis as this is the one axis that coincides with that
required by the program. The Rotation is entered as -30. The angle is negative because the
rotation is opposite to the positive direction for moment X.

The loading data should be entered as shown below:

Load Y (circ shear) 2000

Load Z (radial) 3000
Moment Y (long) 500000
Moment Z (torsion) 600000

No other data is required. When the Calculate option is selected the program will convert the
loads and moments as follows:

Load Y = 2000cos30° - 3000sin30°    

  = 1732.05 - 1500.0 = 232.05
Load Z = 3000cos30° + 2000sin30°    
  = 2598.08 + 1000.0 = 3598.08
Moment Y = 500000cos30° - 600000sin30°    
  = 433013 - 300000 = 133013.00
Moment Z = 600000cos30° + 500000sin30°    
  = 519615 + 250000 = 769615.00

When the calculation is complete the message Check: Loads rotated will be displayed. The
Rotate axis option will revert back to the default No, and the converted loads and moments
will be automatically entered on the Load data input screen.

Equivalent Length of Shell

If the nozzle or attachment is not located mid-way between the ends of the shell an equivalent
length L is calculated as follows:

For nozzles the equivalent length is calculated in accordance with WRC 297 section 1.0:

where L1 and L2 are the distances from the nozzle centre-line to the ends of the shell.

For solid attachments the equivalent length is calculated in accordance with "Stresses from
Radial Loads in Cylindrical Pressure Vessels" by P. P. Bijlaard:

where l is the actual length of the shell and x is the distance from one end.

NOTE: For solid attachments the equivalent length is only used in the deflection calculations.

Internal Pressure
For all types of nozzle and other attachments the longitudinal and circumferential membrane
stresses in the shell due to internal pressure are calculated and added to the stresses in the
shell due to the local loads. When a reinforcing pad or insert plate is specified the pressure
stresses are calculated using the combined head and pad thickness.

Optionally a stress concentration factor can be input to take account of the effects of any
opening. Alternatively the program will calculate a scf based on PD 5500 W.6.2.2.3.

For nozzles the longitudinal and circumferential membrane stresses in the nozzle due to
internal pressure are calculated and added to the stresses in the nozzle due to the local loads.

When the thickness does not exceed half the inside radius the membrane stresses due to
pressure are calculated in accordance with UG-27(c). For greater thicknesses Appendix 1-2 is
used. In both cases the equations are re-arranged to give the stress S.

Calculation of Stresses
Edge of Nozzle

The stresses in the shell at the edge of a nozzle are calculated to WRC 297 section 3.1
equations (1) to (4), and section 3.3 equations (9) and (10). For butt welded insert nozzles the
shell thickness T is taken as the corroded thickness of the insert plate. For nozzles with
reinforcing pads the thickness T is taken as the combined shell plus pad thickness, less
corrosion and thinning allowance.

NOTE: The specified thinning allowance is not applied to reinforcing pads and insert plates.
 The stress resultants nr , mr , nθand mθare evaluated from the figures in WRC 297 as shown in
the table below.

Applied load or moment Stress resultant WRC 297 Figure

Load P (Load Z) nr = NrT / P 8 to 12
Load P (Load Z) mr = Mr / P 3 to 7
Load P (Load Z) nθ = NθT / P 18 to 22
Load P (Load Z) mθ = Mθ / P 13 to 17
Moment MC (Moment X) nr = NrTd / MC 27 to 31
Moment MC (Moment X) mr = Mrd / MC 23 to 26
Moment MC (Moment X) nθ = NθTd / MC 36 to 40
Moment MC (Moment X) nθ = Mθ d / MC 32 to 35
Moment ML (Moment Y) nr = NrTd / ML 45 to 49
Moment ML (Moment Y) mr = Mrd / ML 41 to 44
Moment ML (Moment Y) nθ = NθTd / ML 54 to 58
Moment ML (Moment Y) mθ = Mθ d / ML 50 to 53

Logarithmic interpolation is used for parameters λ and d / t. Linear interpolation is used for
T / t. If λ is less than 0.01 or greater than 10.0 the value of the stress resultant at the limit
value of λ is used. If d / t is less than 10.0 or greater than 100.0 the value of the stress
resultant at the limit value of d / t is used. If T / t is greater than 10.0 the value of the stress
resultant at the limit value of T / t is used. Appropriate warning messages will be produced if
any of these parameters are out of range.

The data used by the program includes extrapolations of the curves in WRC 297. If any
extrapolated values are used a warning message will be produced.

In Nozzle

The stresses in the nozzle at the nozzle to shell junction are calculated to WRC 297
subsection 3.1 equations (5), (6) and (7), and subsection 3.3 equations (11) and (12).

NOTE: The circumferential bending stresses in the nozzle are assumed to be negligible - see
WRC 297 subsection 3.1.

Edge Of Solid Attachment

The stresses in the shell at the edge of a solid attachment are calculated to WRC 107 section
4. For attachments with insert plates the shell thickness T is taken as the corroded thickness
of the insert plate. For attachments with reinforcing pads the thickness T is taken as the
combined shell plus pad thickness, less corrosion and thinning allowance. For attachments
with pads pressure stress is considered to act in the shell only.

NOTE: The specified thinning allowance is not applied to reinforcing pads and insert plates.

The value of the shell parameter γ is calculated to WRC 107, subsection 4.2.1. For solid
circular or square attachments the parameter β is calculated to subsection 4.2.2.1 or 4.2.2.2.
 For rectangular attachments values of the parameter β are calculated for the radial load P to
subsection 4.2.2.3, using factors K1 and K2 obtained from Table 6. For the moment MC values
of β are calculated to subsection 4.2.2.4, using values of factor KC obtained from Table 7. For
the moment ML values of β are calculated to subsection 4.2.2.5, using values of factor KL
obtained from Table 8.

Logarithmic interpolation is used in Tables 7 and 8 for the parameter γ and the ratios β1 / β2
and β2 / β1. If γ is less than 15.0 or greater than 300.0 the factors at the limit value of γ are
used. If the ratios β1 / β2 or β2 / β1 are less than 0.25 or greater than 4.0 the value of the factors
at the limit values of the ratios are used. Appropriate warning messages will be produced if
either of these parameters are out of range.

The dimensionless membrane forces and bending moments are evaluated from the figures in
WRC 107 as shown in the table below.

Applied load or moment Dimensionless force WRC 107 Figure

  or bending moment Longitudinal axis Transverse axis
Load P Nf / (P / Rm) 4C 3C
Load P Mf / P 2C-1 1C
Load P Nx / (P / Rm) 3C 4C
Load P Mx / P 1C-1 2C
Moment MC Nf / (MC / Rm2β) - 3A
Moment MC Mf / (MC / Rmβ) - 1A
Moment MC Nx / (MC / Rm2β) - 4A
Moment MC Mx / (MC / Rmβ) - 2A
Moment ML Nf / (ML / Rm2β) 3B -
Moment ML Mf / (ML / Rmβ) 1B-1 -
Moment ML Nx / (ML / Rm2β) 4B -
Moment ML Mx / (ML / Rmβ) 2B-1 -

Logarithmic interpolation is used for the parameter γ and linear interpolation is used for the
parameter β. If γ is less than 5.0 or greater than 300.0 the value of the dimensionless
membrane force or moment at the limit value of γ is used. If β is greater than 0.5 the value of
the dimensionless membrane force or moment at the limit value of β is used. Appropriate
warning messages will be produced if either of these parameters are out of range.

The data used by the program includes extrapolations of the curves in WRC 107. If any
extrapolated values or values from the dotted part of the curves are used a warning message
will be produced.

For rectangular attachments the values of the dimensionless membrane forces Nf / (MC / Rm2β)
and Nx / (MC / Rm2β) due to moment MC are multiplied by the appropriate values of factor CC
obtained from Table 7, and the dimensionless membrane forces Nf / (ML / Rm2β) and Nx / (ML /
Rm2β) due to moment ML are multiplied by the appropriate values of factor CL obtained from
Table 8.
Shear stresses are calculated in accordance with WRC 107 subsection 4.3.5.1 for solid
circular attachments, and 4.3.5.2 for square or rectangular attachments. The shear stress due
to the torsional moment MT on a square or rectangular attachment is calculated using the
following formula:

Edge Of Reinforcing Pad Or Insert Plate

The stresses in the shell at the edge of a reinforcing pad or insert plate are calculated to WRC
107 section 4, as for the stresses at the edge of a solid attachment. The edge of an insert plate
is taken as the large end of the taper, and the shell thickness T is taken as the shell thickness
less corrosion and thinning allowance.

Stress Summation
The summation of the stresses at the edge of the nozzle or attachment, due to the various
loads and moments, is carried out at the inside and outside surface of the shell or pad at four
points around the nozzle or attachment in accordance with WRC 107 Table 5. Points A and B
are on the longitudinal axis (X axis) and points C and D are on the circumferential axis (Y
axis) through the centre of the attachment.

When a pad or insert plate is fitted the summation of stresses is likewise carried out at the
inside and outside surfaces of the shell at the edge of the pad or insert plate.

For a nozzle, the summation of stresses is also carried out at the outside and inside surfaces of
the nozzle at the nozzle to shell junction.

The stresses at points A and B due to the circumferential moment MC are assumed to be zero,
and similarly, the stresses at points C and D due to the longitudinal moment ML are assumed
to be zero.

The + and - signs in the WRC 107 Table 5 indicate whether the calculated stress at that point
should be multiplied by +1 or -1.

NOTE: The circumferential and longitudinal membrane stresses due to internal pressure are
included in the stress summation. The software will check the membrane stress due to
loadings combined with the plain pressure stress. The resultant membrane stress intensity is
then checked.

Stress Intensities
The total circumferential and longitudinal membrane stresses, σmφ (Smy) and σmx (Smx), are
combined with the total shear stress, τ (tau), and the membrane stress intensity Sm is taken as
the largest absolute value of stresses Sm1, Sm2 and Sm3 which are calculated as follows:
Similarly, the total circumferential and longitudinal membrane plus bending stresses, σφ (Sy)
and σx (Sx), are combined with the total shear stress, τ (tau), and the total stress intensity S is
taken as the largest absolute value of stresses S1, S2 and S3 which are calculated as follows:

Allowable Stresses
The allowable values for shear stress, membrane stress intensity and total membrane plus
bending stress intensity are determined by multiplying the maximum allowable stress for the
appropriate material by factors which are specified by the user. The recommended values for
these factors are given below. If zero is entered for one or more of the factors then the
message Invalid data will be displayed and the recommended value will be inserted into the
input. Values which exceed twice the recommended values are not permitted.

Shell Stresses

See - Shell Stresses

Nozzle Stresses

See - Nozzle Stresses

Deflection and Rotations

For a nozzle without a reinforcing pad, the deflection Dz due to the radial load P is evaluated
using the factor a from WRC 297 Figure 59, and the rotations Rx and Ry due to the moments
MC and ML are evaluated using the factors from Figure 60. Logarithmic interpolation is used
for all parameters in these figures. If any of the parameters is outside the range of the figures
a warning message is produced.
For solid attachments the deflection Dz due to the radial load P is evaluated using factors
derived from Tables 1 and 2 in [22]. A correction factor is applied to compensate for values
of the ratio L / Rm other than 8.0.

The rotations Rx and Ry due to the moments MC and ML are evaluated using factors from
Figures 3 and 7 in [23]. For the rotation Rx a correction factor is applied to compensate for
values of the ratio L / Rm other than 4.0.

If the value of β exceeds 0.25 (the limit for the deflection data) a warning message is
produced.

For a nozzle or attachment with a reinforcing pad or insert plate, the deflections and rotations
are calculated at the edge of the reinforcing pad or insert plate using the method for solid
attachments.

Pipe and Shell Flexibility

When considering the loadings on nozzles due to attached piping it is possible for the
program to calculate a reduced radial load and reduced moments using a linear interpolation
of the shell and pipe spring characteristics. To use this facility data must be entered for the
free end rotations Rx and Ry and the free end deflection Dz.

For details of this facility please refer to Pipe and Shell Flexibility.

The signs of the free end deflection and rotations must be the same as those of the
corresponding load and moments.