Minimum distance between two

circumferential pipe joints

Date: March 17, 2018Author: Thanh ( QC ) Nguyen Le 0 Comments

1. Took a look through old B31.3 Interpretations:

There’s no Code requirement for the minimum distance between welds.

 Interpretation 14-03(b):
Question (4): Does ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Addenda b, have requirements for
the minimum lengths of pipe sections between welds?

Reply (4): No.

other:
 As per ASME B31.3 para 341.4.1.6.B ” when a circumferential weld with an
interesting longitudinal weld is examined, at least the adjacent 38mm(1.5 Inch)
, of each interesting weld shall be Examined”

 ASME SC-VIII-1,UW9(d)
2. From BS standard:
3. From other standard:
Document for refer:

+ http://65.57.255.42/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=36
192
+ ASME B31.3

+ http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=194119

Purpose of Welding proximity requirement is:

To avoid the overlapping HAZ, thus the lowering of weld-zone’s mechanical
which is not covered in WPS as approval status for welding configuration.

Weld proximity is covered by a number of international standards. Extracts

from these standards are shown below and summarized in the following
table:

Minimum distance
Standard Applies to Notes
between weld toes

t= nominal thickness of the

Ferritic steel pipe
BS 2633:1987 4t
pipework See below for notes on
attachment welds.

BS 4515:2009 C-Mn pipelines 4t t= pipe thickness

Carbon steel
BS 2971:1991 Agreed by parties –
pipework

e= design thickness
4e or 100mm
PD 5500:2012 Pressure vessels Refers to staggering of
whichever is greater
longitudinal welds

Boilers and
ASME B&PV pressure Not specified –
vessels
A B31.1 Interpretation says

Interpretation: B31.1-22-7
Subject: B31.1, 127.4, Welding Requirements
Date Issued: December 10, 1992
File: B31-92-027
Question: Does the B31.1 Code require that a minimum distance be maintained
between adjacent piping welds.
Reply: No. However, refer to paragraph 104.3.1(G.7) for rules regarding the
reinforcement of multiple openings.

A B31.3 Interpretation Says

Interpretation: B31.3-7-02
Subject: B31.3-1987, Paras. 304.3.3 and 328; Spacing of Welds
Date Issued: May 24, 1988
File: B31-87-039
Question: In accordance with B31.3, are there requirements or guidelines on the
minimum distance between welds in a pipe?
Reply: No, except as provided in paragraph 304.3.3(e).
Para 304.3.3(e)refers to overlapping of reinforcement zones.

In oil and gas project, the code is normally not require about this issue, but it’s
necessary to notify in project’s Specification on welding & inspection.
Because of the HAZ overlapping, thus the weld-zone mechanical will be
affected with no any support documents that proving the soundness of weld
specially in welding DSS – high corrosion material (weld decay).

Because of the design capability and narrow arrangement, this issue can’t be
avoid 100%. In such case, a Technical query have to be issued and support by
mock-up test. (Hardness test is normally to be presented for closing this
issue).