Determination of Minimum Required Thickness – Section 12

Piping 12.1

API RP 574 12.1 refers to ASME B31.3 for formulas and data used in the determination of minimum
required wall thickness for new uncorroded piping.

In many instances, extra thickness is required near branch connections. This extra thickness is
usually supplied by one of the following:

1) a welding tee;
2) a saddle;
3) an essentially reinforced branch outlet (e.g. a Weldolet); or
4) the header and/or thickness of run pipe is greater than specified by design conditions.

API 570 allows the use of the Barlow formula to determine required wall thickness for the MAWP
and provides guidance of when this formula or other equations are applicable. From API RP 574
12.1.2, the Barlow formula is as follows.

PD
t =
2SE

where: t = pressure design thickness for internal pressure, in inches (millimeters)

P = internal design gauge pressure of the pipe, in pounds per square inch (kilopascals)
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S = allowable unit stress at the design temperature, in pounds per square inch (kilopascals)
E = longitudinal quality factor

The Barlow formula gives results that are relatively close to those obtained by the more complex
ASME B31.3 formula, except in cases involving high pressures where thick-walled piping is
required. Metallic pipe for which t > D/6 or P/SE > 0.385 requires special consideration.

API RP 574 12.1.3 cautions that in applications at low pressure and temperature, the required pipe
thicknesses calculated by the Barlow formula may be so small that the pipe would lack sufficient
structural strength to prevent sagging, buckling, and collapsing at supports. Consequently, the pipe
wall should not be allowed to deteriorate below the minimum design thickness required irrespective
of the results obtained by the Barlow or B31.3 formulas.

Practice Problem Q42: Barlow Formula

Determine the pressure design thickness for a NPS 2, ASTM A106, Grade B, pipe designed for
100 psig at 100°F, D = 2.375 in., S = 20,000 psi, E = 1.0 (seamless pipe), and Y = 0.4.

a) 0.005”
b) 0.006”
c) 0.011”
d) 0.05”

API RP 574 © Codes and Standards Training Institute (CASTI)

 Structural Minimum Thickness 12.1.3

In low-pressure and low-temperature services, the minimum required thickness for pipe calculated
by the Barlow equation may be so small that the pipe would lack sufficient structural strength to
support the weight of the pipe and its process content to prevent sagging, buckling, and collapsing.
Consequently, the minimum required thickness for piping must account for both pressure and
structural conditions.

Although 12.1.3 suggests that the owner/user should specify the method for determining the
structural minimum required thicknesses. Table 7 of API RP 574 provides default values for NPS
1/2 to 24 at temperatures < 400°F (205°C). For NPS 1/2 to 2, minimum required thickness is 0.07 in.
(1.8 mm); NPS 3, 0.08 in. (2.0 mm); NPS 4, 0.09 in. (2.3 mm); NPS 6 to 18, 0.11 in. (2.8 mm); and
NPS 20 to 24, 0.12 in. (3.1 mm).

However, 12.1.3 also lists 7 additional considerations that may be required to determine the
structural minimum required thickness.

Practice Problem Q43: Barlow Formula

In low pressure and temperature applications, the required pipe thicknesses determined by the
Barlow formula may be so small that the pipe would have insufficient structural strength. If this
situation would occur, what would happen to the piping?

a) Sagging pipe
b) Buckled pipe
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c) Collapse at supports
d) All of the above

API RP 574 © Codes and Standards Training Institute (CASTI)

 Minimum Required Thickness 12.1.4

The minimum required thickness is used to establish when piping must be retired, replaced, or
repaired, unless a fitness-for-service analysis indicates additional remaining life.

The minimum required thickness for piping is the greater of piping code design thickness (e.g., B31.3
equation 3a) or the structural minimum thickness listed in Table 7 default value, as shown in the
following steps.

Step 1 Calculate minimum required thickness in accordance with the pressure design code
B31.3 equation 3a.
Step 2 Determine structural minimum thickness using owner/user table, engineering
calculations, or the default values in Table 7.
Step 3 Select the larger of the piping code design thickness or structural minimum thickness.

Step 4 For services with high potential consequences of failure, the piping engineer should
consider increasing the minimum required thickness above in Step 3 to ensure safety
for unanticipated or unknown loadings, undiscovered metal loss, or resistance to upsets
or harsh environmental conditions.

The following Connecting-the-Codes© Examples and Practice Problem demonstrates how to

determine the minimum required thickness using API 574, 12.1.4.

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API RP 574 © Codes and Standards Training Institute (CASTI)

 Connecting-the-Codes© Example: Minimum Required Thickness for Piping in Service
Determine the minimum required thickness for a NPS 2, ASTM A106, Grade B, pipe designed for
100 psig at 100°F, D = 2.375 in., S = 20,000 psi, E = 1.0 (seamless pipe), and Y = 0.4.

Formula:
Step 1: For minimum required thickness for pressure, from equation given in 12.1.4:
PD
t=
2(SE + PY)

Required Variables:
P = 100 psi
D = 2.375 in. (NPS 2 from API RP 574 Table 1)
S = 20,000 psi
E = 1.0 (seamless pipe)
Y = 0.4

PD
t=
2(SE + PY)
100 psi × 2.375 in.
=
2 (20,000 × 1.0 + 100 × 0.4 )
237 .5 psi ⋅ in.
=
2 (20,000 + 40 ) psi
237 .5 psi ⋅ in.
=
2 (20,040 ) psi
= 0.006because
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Step 2: Obtain default structural minimum required thickness from API RP 574, Table 7 for NPS 2
by looking for the value that corresponds with NPS 2 under the “Default Minimum Structural
Thickness for Temperatures < 400°F (205°C), in. (mm)” column. The value is 0.07 in. as follows.
Table 7—Minimum Thicknesses for Carbon and Low-alloy Steel Pipe

Default Minimum Structural Thickness Minimum Alert Thickness for

NPS for Temperatures < 400 °F (205 °C) Temperatures < 400 °F (205 °C)
in. (mm) in. (mm)

1
/2 to 1 0.07 (1.8) 0.08 (2.0)
1
1 /2 0.07 (1.8) 0.09 (2.3)

2 0.07 (1.8) 0.10 (2.5)

3 0.08 (2.0) 0.11 (2.8)

4 0.09 (2.3) 0.12 (3.1)

6 to 18 0.11 (2.8) 0.13 (3.3)

20 to 24 0.12 (3.1) 0.14(3.6)

Step 3: Since the default structural minimum required thickness of 0.07 in. is greater than the
calculated minimum required thickness for pressure of 0.006 in., then 0.07 in. becomes the
required minimum thickness for piping in-service.

API RP 574 © Codes and Standards Training Institute (CASTI)

 Connecting-the-Codes© Example: Minimum Required Thickness for Piping in Service
Determine the minimum required thickness for a NPS 14, ASTM A106, Grade B, pipe designed for
600 psig at 100°F, D = 14 in., S = 20,000 psi, E = 1.0 (seamless pipe), and Y = 0.4.

Formula:
Step 1: For minimum required thickness for pressure, from equation given in 12.1.4:
PD
t=
2(SE + PY )

Required Variables:
P = 600 psi
D = 14 in. (NPS 14 from API RP 574, Table 1)
S = 20,000 psi
E = 1.0 (seamless pipe)
Y = 0.4

PD
t=
2(SE + PY )
600 psi × 14 in.
=
2 (20,000 × 1.0 + 600 × 0.4 )
8400 psi ⋅ in.
=
2 (20,000 + 240 ) psi
8400 psi ⋅ in.
=
2 (20,240 ) psi
= 0.208because
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Step 2: Obtain default structural minimum required thickness from API RP 574, Table 7 for
NPS 14 by looking for the value that corresponds with NPS 6 to 18 under the “Default Minimum
Structural Thickness for Temperatures < 400°F (205°C), in. (mm)” column. The value is 0.11 in. as
follows.
Table 7—Minimum Thicknesses for Carbon and Low-alloy Steel Pipe

Default Minimum Structural Thickness Minimum Alert Thickness for

NPS for Temperatures < 400 °F (205 °C) Temperatures < 400 °F (205 °C)
in. (mm) in. (mm)

1
/2 to 1 0.07 (1.8) 0.08 (2.0)
1
1 /2 0.07 (1.8) 0.09 (2.3)

2 0.07 (1.8) 0.10 (2.5)

3 0.08 (2.0) 0.11 (2.8)

4 0.09 (2.3) 0.12 (3.1)

6 to 18 0.11 (2.8) 0.13 (3.3)

20 to 24 0.12 (3.1) 0.14(3.6)

Step 3: Since the default structural minimum required thickness of 0.110 in. is less than the
calculated minimum required thickness for pressure of 0.208 in., then 0.208 in. becomes the
required minimum thickness for piping in-service.

API RP 574 © Codes and Standards Training Institute (CASTI)

 Practice Problem Q44: Minimum Required Thickness for Piping in-Service
A NPS 16 piping system has over 7 years of service. The pipe is made from seamless ASTM
A333/A333M Grade 6 with an allowable stress of 20,000 psi and a value for the coefficient Y of 0.4.
The piping operates at 400 psi and 300°F. What is the minimum thickness required to return the
piping to service?

a) 0.090 in.
b) 0.110 in.
c) 0.120 in.
d) 0.159 in.

Minimum Alert Thickness 12.1.5

The purpose of an alert thickness signal is to:

• remind the inspector that it is time for a remaining life assessment and
• warn the inspector when a CML reaches the alert thickness to consider other possible
locations for the corrosion mechanism

Note: Normally, the purpose of an alert thickness signal does not mean that pipe components must
be retired when one CML gets to the default limit.

Users may establish a minimum alert thickness with values greater than required minimum
thickness, (i.e., either the minimum structural thickness or the pressure design thickness, whichever
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is greater).

Table 7 of API RP 574 provides minimum alert thickness for NPS 1/2 to 24 at temperatures < 400°F
(205°C). For NPS 1/2 to 1, minimum alert thickness is 0.08 in. (2.0 mm); NPS 1½, 0.09 in. (2.3 mm);
NPS 2, 0.10 in. (2.5 mm); NPS 3, 0.11 in. (2.8 mm); NPS 4, 0.12 in. (3.1 mm); NPS 6 to 18, 0.13 in.
(3.3 mm), and NPS 20 to 24, 0.14 in. (3.6 mm).

Practice Problem Q45: Minimum Alert Thickness

A NPS 8 piping system has corroded over 9 years of service. The piping is made from forged and
bored ASTM A369/A369M Grade FPB. The piping system operates at 500 psi and 320°F. What
would be the minimum alert thickness based on API RP 574?

a) 0.090 in.
b) 0.100 in.
c) 0.130 in.
d) 0.150 in.

API RP 574 © Codes and Standards Training Institute (CASTI)

 Valves and Flanged Fittings 12.2

API RP 574 12.2 deals with the retirement thickness of valves and flanged fittings. These
components are subject to stress from:

• internal pressure;
• mechanical loadings;
• changes in temperature;
• closing stresses; and
• stress concentrations due to their shape.

Because of the difficulty in calculating these stresses with certainty, the thickness of valves and
flanged fittings is significantly greater than that of a simple cylinder, such as in a pipe.

ASME B16.34 establishes the minimum valve wall thickness at 1.5 times (precisely 1.35 times for
Class 4500) the thickness of a simple cylinder designed for a stress of 7,000 psi (48.26 MPa) and
subjected to an internal pressure equivalent to the pressure rating class for valve Classes 150-2500.

Consequently, the formula for calculating the API RP 574 retirement thickness of pipe can be
modified for valves and flanged fittings by using the factor of 1.5 and the allowable stress for the
material specified in ASME B31.3, using the Barlow formula.

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API RP 574 © Codes and Standards Training Institute (CASTI)

 The following Connecting-the-Codes© Example and Practice Problem show the use of the modified
Barlow equation for calculating the valves and flanged fittings retirement thickness by using the
factor of 1.5.

Connecting-the-Codes© Example: Retirement Thickness for Valves

A globe valve NPS 14, class 800, which is used to regulate fluid flow, has corroded over 7 years of
service. The valve body is made from cast ASTM A487 Grade 1, Class B with a casting quality
factor of 0.90 and allowable stress of 35,400 psi. The valve internal design gauge pressure is
400 psi and 300°F (150°C). What is the minimum valve body thickness required to return the
valve to service?

Formula: Diagram:
From API RP 574 12.2:
For valve Classes 150 to 2500:
t = 1.5 
PD 

 2SE 

Required Variables:
P = 400 psi
D = 14 in. (NPS 14)
S = 35,400 psi
t
E = 0.90

 PD  P = 400
t = 1.5  because
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 2SE  T = 300°F
 400 psi × 14 in.  S = 35,400 psi
= 1.5   D = 14.00 in. E = 0.90
 2 × 35,400 psi × 0.90 
ASTM A487 Grade 1 Class B, NPS 14
 5,600 psi ⋅ in. 
= 1.5  
 63,720 psi 
= 1.5 (0.088 in.)
= 0.132 in.

Practice Problem Q46: Retirement Thickness for Valves

A gate valve NPS 8, class 600, which interrupts flow and is commonly in the open position, has
corroded over 5 years of service. The valve body is made from cast ASTM A352 Grade LCB with a
casting quality factor of 0.90 and allowable stress of 19,000 psi. The valve operates at 500 psi and
500°F (260°C). What is the minimum valve body thickness required to return the valve to service?

a) 0.189 in.
b) 0.327 in.
c) 0.390 in.
d) 0.580 in.

API RP 574 © Codes and Standards Training Institute (CASTI)

 Records – Section 13

General 13.1

API RP 574 13.1 addresses the need for inspection record keeping. Maintaining complete, detailed,
and organized inspection records on piping and piping components is a key responsibility of the
inspector.

Accurate records permit an assessment of service life on any fitting, piping, or valve, and provide
general condition information of any piping system as a permanent record from which corrosion
rates and probable replacement or repair intervals can be established.

As a minimum, API RP 574 13.1 states that all inspection records should contain:

1) the original date of installation;

2) the specifications and strength levels of the materials used;
3) the original thickness measurements;
4) the locations and dates of all subsequent thickness measurements;
5) the calculated retirement thickness;
6) repairs and replacements;
7) temporary repairs;
8) pertinent operational changes (i.e., change in service);
9) fitness-for-service assessments; and
10) RBI assessments.
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Review of Records 13.5

Inspection records, as discussed in API RP 574 13.5, should be reviewed soon after inspections are
completed to determine the next inspection date. The review should include records of inspections
done during the current operating period as well as records of previous inspections. Areas that
should be listed in the review are as follows:

• areas that are close to retirement thickness;

• areas that have formerly shown high rates of corrosion; and
• areas where current inspection has shown a need for further investigation.

If possible, a work schedule should be prepared from these lists for additional on-stream inspection,
and for next inspections during the next shutdown period. The work schedule will help to establish
the number of inspectors to be allocated to the work.

Review of previous inspection records should also be conducted to:

• generate lists of predictable repairs and replacements and

• help with the determination of maintenance personnel requirements during the shutdown
period.

API RP 574 © Codes and Standards Training Institute (CASTI)

 Record Updates 13.6

After inspection activities, records should be updated within a reasonable amount of time to give the
inspector sufficient time to properly collect, analyze and record data. To ensure that data and
information are accurately recorded and do not get lost and details forgotten, a time frame should be
established for record updates.

Audit of Records 13.7

Records of inspection should be audited regularly and evaluated whether the records satisfy
requirements and whether the records are of appropriate quality/accuracy. Through regular audits,
gaps and deficiencies in existing inspection programs are identified and corrective actions are
defined. An example of corrective action is focused training.

Practice Problem Q47: Records

What should inspection records contain as a minimum?

a) The locations and dates of all subsequent thickness measurements

b) The estimated retirement thickness
c) Piping manufacturers
d) All of the above

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API RP 574 © Codes and Standards Training Institute (CASTI)

 CASTI Study Table©
Calculations for API 570, API 574, and ASME B31.3

Subject Reference Formula Remarks

API 570 7.5 MAWP MAWP calculation using corrosion ½-
Determination; and  2SEt  life concept;
P=  
Annex D  D  see Annex D for 2 examples;
without W or Y factors.
API RP 574 12.1.2 Pressure design thickness for new,
 PD 
Pressure Design t=   uncorroded, straight pipe subject to
 2SE 
Thickness internal pressure.
12.1.4 Minimum required thickness for
Minimum Required PD existing piping;
t=
Thickness 2(SE + PY) API 574 uses the old B31.3 equation,
with Y factor, but without W factor.
12.1.3 Table 7 provides Default Minimum
Structural Minimum Structural Thickness for Temperatures
Thickness < 400°F (205°C) in. (mm).
To determine the minimum required
Table 7
thickness:
select the larger of the pressure design
thickness from 11.1.4 or structural
minimum thickness from Table 7.
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12.1.5 Table 7 provides Minimum Alert
Minimum Alert Thickness for Temperatures
Table 7
Thickness < 400°F (205°C) in. (mm);
simply look-up the value.
12.2 Valves and Calculating the minimum required
Flanged Fittings  PD  thickness for valves and flanged
t = 1.5  
 2SE  fittings by using this equation.
(1.5 x Barlow equation)
ASME B31.3 304.1.2, eq 3a PD t = pressure design thickness;
t=
Straight Pipe 2(SEW + PY) with W and Y factors.
304.1.1(a), eq. 2 tm = minimum required thickness, with
tm = t + c
Straight Pipe corrosion allowance.
304.1.1(a) T = minimum thickness, for the pipe
Straight Pipe selected when considering
T ≥ tm = t + c
manufacturer’s minus tolerance and
shall be not less than tm.
304.5.3(b), eq 15 3P tm = minimum required thickness of a
tm = dg +c
Blanks 16 SEW permanent blank.

API RP 574 © Codes and Standards Training Institute (CASTI)

 Solutions
For API RP 574 Practice Problems

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API RP 574 © Codes and Standards Training Institute (CASTI)

 Practice Problem Q44: Minimum Required Thickness for Piping In-Service [SOLUTION]
A NPS 16 piping system has over 7 years of service. The pipe is made from seamless ASTM
A333/A333M Grade 6 with an allowable stress of 20,000 psi and a value for the coefficient Y of 0.4.
The piping operates at 400 psi and 300°F. What is the minimum thickness required to return the
piping to service?

Formula:
Step 1: For minimum required thickness for pressure, from equation given in 12.1.4:
PD
t=
2(SE + PY)

Required Variables:
P = 400 psi
D = 16 in. (NPS 16 from API RP 574 Table 1)
S = 20,000 psi
E = 1.0 (seamless pipe)
Y = 0.4

PD
t=
2(SE + PY)
400 psi × 16 in.
=
2 (20,000 × 1.0 + 400 × 0.4 )
6400 psi ⋅ in.
=
2 (20,000 + 160 ) psi
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psi ⋅ inyou
6400because . need to update Adobe Reader or adjust your browser settings to open this document with Adobe Reader in the browser.
=
2 (20,160) psi
= 0.159 in.

Step 2: Obtain default structural minimum required thickness from API RP 574, Table 7 for NPS 16
by looking for the corresponding value (NPS 6 to 18) under the “Default Minimum Structural
Thickness for Temperatures < 400°F (205°C), in. (mm)” column. The value is 0.11 in. as follows.
Table 7—Minimum Thicknesses for Carbon and Low-alloy Steel Pipe

Default Minimum Structural Thickness Minimum Alert Thickness for

NPS for Temperatures < 400 °F (205 °C) Temperatures < 400 °F (205 °C)
in. (mm) in. (mm)

1
/2 to 1 0.07 (1.8) 0.08 (2.0)
1
1 /2 0.07 (1.8) 0.09 (2.3)

2 0.07 (1.8) 0.10 (2.5)

3 0.08 (2.0) 0.11 (2.8)

4 0.09 (2.3) 0.12 (3.1)

6 to 18 0.11 (2.8) 0.13 (3.3)

20 to 24 0.12 (3.1) 0.14(3.6)

Step 3: Since the default structural minimum required thickness of 0.110 in. is less than the
calculated minimum required thickness for pressure of 0.160 in., then 0.160 in. becomes the
required minimum thickness for piping in-service.

API RP 574 © Codes and Standards Training Institute (CASTI)

 Practice Problem Q45: Minimum Alert Thickness [SOLUTION]
A NPS 8 piping system has corroded over 9 years of service. The piping is made from forged and
bored ASTM A369/A369 Grade FPB. The piping system operates at 500 psi and 320°F. What
would be the minimum alert thickness based on API RP 574?

Minimum alert thicknesses are given in Table 7.

Obtain minimum alert thickness from API RP 574 Table 7 for NPS 8 by looking for the value that
corresponds with NPS 6-18 under the “Minimum Alert Thickness for Temperatures < 400°F
(205°C), in. (mm)” column. The value is 0.13 in. as follows.

Table 7—Minimum Thicknesses for Carbon and Low-alloy Steel Pipe

Default Minimum Structural Thickness Minimum Alert Thickness for

NPS for Temperatures < 400 °F (205 °C) Temperatures < 400 °F (205 °C)
in. (mm) in. (mm)

1
/2 to 1 0.07 (1.8) 0.08 (2.0)
1
1 /2 0.07 (1.8) 0.09 (2.3)

2 0.07 (1.8) 0.10 (2.5)

3 0.08 (2.0) 0.11 (2.8)

4 0.09 (2.3) 0.12 (3.1)

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6 to 18 0.11 (2.8) 0.13 (3.3)

20 to 24 0.12 (3.1) 0.14(3.6)

The minimum alert thickness for a NPS 8 piping system based on API RP 574 is 0.13 in.

API RP 574 © Codes and Standards Training Institute (CASTI)

 Practice Problem Q46: Retirement Thickness for Valves [SOLUTION]
A gate valve NPS 8, class 600, which interrupts flow and is commonly in the open position, has
corroded over 5 years of service. The valve body is made from cast ASTM A352 Grade LCB with a
casting quality factor of 0.90 and allowable stress of 19,000 psi. The valve operates at 500 psi and
500°F (260°C). What is the minimum valve body thickness required to return the valve to service?

Formula: Diagram:
From API RP 574 12.2:

t = 1.5 
PD 

 2SE 

Required Variables:
P = 500 psi
D = 8.625 in. (NPS 8)
S = 19,000 psi
t
E = 0.90

t = 1.5 
PD  P = 500 psi

 2SE  T = 500°F
 500 psi × 8.625 in.  S = 19,000 psi
= 1.5  
 D = 8.625 in. E = 0.90
 2 × 19,000 psi × 0.90 
ASTM A352 Grade LCB, NPS 8
 4,313 psi ⋅ in. 
= 1.5   
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The content of this document is unavailable 34,200you
 because psineed
= 1.5 (0.126 in.)
= 0.189 in.

The minimum valve body thickness required to return the valve to service is 0.189 in.

API RP 574 © Codes and Standards Training Institute (CASTI)