What is the Summary of Important Points in ASME Code Section 8 ?

1. ASME Code Section 8 edition is issued once every 3 years and addenda, once a year – both on July 1st.
Edition and addenda become effective on the 1st of January of next year (i.e., 6 months after issue).

2. Thickness of cylindrical shell t = PR/(SE-0.6P) + C

3. Longitudinal weld is more critical because it is subjected to double the stress than Circ. Weld.

4. “Weld joint categories” A, B, C, D – are based on joint locations in the vessel and stress levels
encountered. “Weld Types” (type 1, 2, 3, etc.) describe the weld itself.

5. Depths of 2:1 Ellip. and hemisph. heads are D/4 and D/2 respectively. (D= Head diameter.)

6. Weld Joint categories:

Category A:
- All longitudinal welds in shell and nozzles.
- All welds in heads, Hemisph-head to shell weld joint
Category B:
- All circumferential welds in shell and nozzles
- Head to shell joint (other than Hemisph.)
Category C and D are flange welds and nozzle attachment welds respectively.

7. Weld Types:
Type 1: Full penetration welds (Typically Double welded)
Type 2: Welds with backing strip
Type 3: Single welded partial penetration welds
Type 4, 5 and 6: Various Lap welds (rarely used)

8. For full penetration welds (type 1):

Joint efficiency, E = 100%, 85%, 70%
(For the radiography = Full, Spot, Nil respectively)

9. Radiography marking on name plates (typically for Type-1 welds)

RT-1: (E=1) All butt welds – full length radiography
RT-2: (E=1.0) All Cat. A Butt welds Full length, Cat B, spot
RT-3: (E=0.85) Spot radiography of both Cat A and B welds
RT-4: (E=0.7) Partial/No radiography

10. For Welded Heads for E=1, all welds within the head require full length radiography (since they are all
Cat. A welds)

11. For seamless heads, E=1, If a) head to shell weld is fully radiographed (if Cat. A), and at least spot
radiographed (if Cat. B)

12. Compared to Cylindrical shell, thickness of 2:1 Ellipsoidal head is approx. same as shell, Hemisph. head
approx. half and Torisph head is 77% higher.
13. MAWP is calculated for: Working condition (Hot & Corroded). Vessel MAWP is always taken at the Top
of the Vessel and is lowest of all part MAWPs adjusted for static pressure.

14. Hydro-Test is Standard Pressure test on Completed Vessels.

Hyd. Test Pr. = 1.3 x MAWP x stress ratio
Insp. Pressure (hydro) = test pr. / 1.3
Min. Test temp. = MDMT + 30°F
Max. Inspection temp. = 120°F

15. Pneumatic test is performed if hydro is not possible due to design or process reasons. Prior to the test,
NDT as per UW-50 is mandatory.
Pneumatic test pressure = 1.1 x MAWP x stress ratio, Pressure should be increased in steps (Total 6).
1st step – 50% of test pressure
2nd to 6 step – 10% of test pressure
Insp. Pr. (pneumatic) = test pressure /1.1

16. Pressure gauge range should be about twice the test pressure. However, in any case it shall not be
lower than 1.5 times and not higher than 4 times the test pressure.

17. Vessel MAWP represents the maximum safe pressure holding capacity of the vessel. Vessel MAWP is
measured at top-most point and is lowest of vessel part MAWPs, adjusted for hydrostatic head.

18. For vertical vessels, hydrostatic pressure caused due to liquid with specific gravity = 1, 1ft of height =
0.43 psig. Or 1 mtr of height = 0.1 Bar

19. Total pressure at any point of Vertical vessel is given by:

Total Pr. = Vessel MAWP + h x 0.433.
(h = height from top in ft.)

20. If part MAWP and elevations are known, Vessel MAWP can be calculated by the deducting hydrostatic
head from part MAWP.

21. Ext. Pressure is worked out on basis of Geometric factor A (which depends on L/Do and Do/t ratios)
and factor B (depends on A, )
Allowable Ext. Pressure, Pa = 4B/(3(Do/t))

22. For values of A falling to the left of material line in the material chart:
Pa = 2AE/(3(Do/t))

23. Name plate shows The Code stamping, MAWP, design temp., MDMT, and Extent of Radiography.

24. ASME materials (SA) shall be used for code stamped vessel fabrication instead of ASTM (A) materials.

25. Reinforcement pad is not required, if the size of finished opening is (UG 36)
Not exceeding 2-3/8” for all thicknesses of vessel
Not exceeding 3-½”, if vessel thickness is ≤ 3/8’’

26. Reinforcement pad with OD = 2d and thk = vessel thk is always safe (d = diameter of finished opening)
27. Reinforcement limit along vessel wall = 2d

28. Reinforcement limit normal to vessel wall = smaller of 2.5 t or 2.5 tn

29. In reinforcement pad calculations, credit can be taken for area available in shell and nozzle.

30. Fillet weld throat dimension = 0.707 x leg of weld

31. Adequacy of weld sizes shall be checked as required by UW-16. The nozzles construction shall be one
of the Code acceptable types.

32. The maximum permitted ovality tolerance (D max – D min) shall not exceed 1% of nominal diameter
of vessel. If there is opening, then the tolerance can be increased by 2% x d (d = diameter of opening) if
measurement is taken within a distance of ‘d’ from axis of opening.

33. The mismatch tolerances and the maximum allowable weld reinforcement is more strict on
longitudinal welds compared to circumferential welds (UW-35).

34. Principle of reinforcement:

Area removed = Area compensated.
Compensation area shall be within reinforcement limits.

35. For use as pressure parts, the plates shall be fully identified. Maximum permitted under tolerance on
plates is 0.01” (0.3 mm) or 6% of ordered thickness, whichever is less.

36. All welding (including tack, seal, etc.) shall be done using qualified procedures and welders.

37. Mandatory full radiography in ASME Code Section 8 is required for all welding with thickness exceeding
Table UCS-57, and also for lethal service vessels and unfired boilers with Design Pr. More than 50 psig.

38. PWHT is ASME Code Section 8 requirement if thickness exceeds those given in tables UCS-56 (given in
notes under the tables). These tables also give min. PWHT temperature and min. holding time (soaking
period) based on P-Nos. and thickness respectively.

39. For Furnace PWHT in ASME Code Section 8 , Loading Temperature shall not exceed 800°F, heating rate
400 deg F/hr/inch of thickness, cooling rate 500°F /hr/inch of thickness. Still air cooling permitted below
800°F. During soaking period, temp difference between hottest and coldest part shall not exceed 150°F.

40. Minimum overlap for PWHT in multiple heats = 5 ft.

41. For the ASME Code Section 8 impact test requirement, UCS 66 curve. If MDMT-thickness combination
falls on or above the curve, impact testing is exempted. Additional exemptions are given as per UG-20(f)
and UCS=68 (c).

Source: Inspection for Industry.