ASME 331.
4-2016
be designed to withstand the operating conditions of the
equipment or piping to which it is connected.
404.1.7 Fittings Exceeding Scope of Standard Sizes.
Fittings exceeding scope of standard sizes or otherwise
departing from dimensions listed in the standards referred
to in paras. 404.1.1 and 404.4.1 may be used, provided the
designs meet the requirements of this Code.
404.1.8 Special Fittings and Connections. Cast,
forged, wrought, or welded steel fittings different from
those specified in the applicable American National
Standards and MSS Standard Practices will be permitted
provided that their design is in accordance with para.
404.10.
404.1.9 Thermowells. Thermowells shall comply
with ASME PTC 19.3 TW.
404.2 Directional Changes
404.2.1 General. Changes in direction, vertically and
horizontally, may be made by field bending the pipe, by
inserting induction bends (also called hot bends), or by
installing manufactured bends or elbows.
The minimum wall thickness of pipe before bending,
field bends, or induction bends shall be determined as for
straight pipe in accordance with para. 403.2.1.
404.2.2 Field Bends. Field bends are cold bends,
generally made in the field during construction, to allow
the pipe to conform to the contour of the ditch. Field
bends include vertical bends (sags and overbends),
horizontal bends to accommodate changes in direction,
and combination bends.
Bends shall be free from buckling, cracks, or other
evidence of mechanical damage. Ripples or wrinkles
meeting the requirements of para. 451.6.2.8 are
acceptable.
Field bends shall meet the requirements of pan.
434.7.1.
The minimum radius of field cold bends, except as noted
in the next two paragraphs, shall be as follows:
Minimum Radius of
Nominal Pipe Size Bend in Pipe
Diameters
NPS 12 and smaller 18D
14 21
16 24
18 27
NPS 20 and larger 30
In some cases, thin wall pipe will require the use of an
internal mandrel when being bent to the minimum radii
tabulated above.
Bends may be made by bending the pipe in sizes NPS
14 and larger to a minimum radius of 18/). However,
bending pipe to radii approaching 18D shall comply with
the criteria in this paragraph and will be dependent upon
wall thickness, ductility, ratio of pipe diameter to wall
thickness, use of bending mandrel, and skill of bending
crew. lest bends shall be made to determine that the field
bending procedure used pro duces bends meeting the
requirements of this paragraph and that the wall thickness
after bending is not less tlxan the minimum permitted by
the pipe specification.
Cold bends should liave tangents on each end in
accordance with para. 434.7.1(d).
404.2.3 Induction Bends. Induction bends are made
by heating the pipe and forming the bend under controlled
conditions. The minimum wall thickness of pipe before
bending shall be determined as for straight pipe in
accordance with para. 403.2.1. Induction bends shall
comply with ASME B16.49.
Bends shall be free from buckling, cracks, or other
evidence of mechanical damage. Ripples or wrinkles
meeting the requirements of para. 451.6.2.8 are
acceptable.
The pipe diameter shall not be reduced at any point by
more than 2V>% of the nominal diameter, and the
completed bend shall pass the specified sizing pig.
When hot bends are made in pipe that has been cold
worked in order to meet the specified minimum yield
strength, wall thickness shall be determined by using the
lower stress values in accordance with para. 403.12.
404.2.4 Mitered Bends. In systems intended to
operate at a hoop stress of more than 20% of tire specified
minimum yield strength of the pipe, miter bends are
prohibited. Miter bends not exceeding 12/£ deg may be
used in systems operated at a hoop stress of 20% or less
of the specified minimum yield strength of die pipe, and
the minimum distance between miters measured at the
crotch shall not be less than one pipe diameter. When die
system is to be operated at a hoop stress of less than 10%
of the specified minimum yield strengdi of die pipe, the
restriction to 12!£ deg maximum miter and distance
between miters will not apply. Deflections caused by
misalignment up to 3 deg are not considered miter bends.
Care sliall be taken in making mitered joints to provide
proper spacing and alignment and full penetration welds.
404.2.5 Factory-Made Bends and Elbows. The mini
mum metal thickness of flanged or direaded elbows shall
not be less dian specified for the pressures and
temperatures in the applicable ASME Standard or the
MSS Standard Practice.
Steel butt welding elbows shall comply with ASME
B16.9, ASME B16.28, or MSS SP-75, and shall have
pressure and temperature ratings based on the same stress
values as were used in establishing the pres sure and
temperature limitations for pipe of the same or equivalent
materials.
Factory made bends and elbows shall have
approximately the same mechanical properties and
chemical composition as the pipe to which they are
welded.