ASME B31.3 "Hill side connections" & ASME VIII Div 1
ASME B31.3 "Hill side connections" & ASME VIII Div 1
(OP)
Scenario: Design Code B31.3. Branch connection to pipe run is hill side.
Code Clause: 304.3.1 (b) (4) “the axis pf the branch intersects the axis of the run”
Problem: B31.3 does not consider hill side branch connections.
Solution: Refer to 304.7.2, but this does not allow calculation to ASME VIII Div 1 which would be the logical method.
Can someone please tell me why one cannot use UG-37 (VIII, Div 1), understand 31.3 doenst allow it, but why?
Surely this is a common connection in the industry with no simple solution?
Code Clause: 304.3.1 (b) (4) “the axis pf the branch intersects the axis of the run”
Problem: B31.3 does not consider hill side branch connections.
Solution: Refer to 304.7.2, but this does not allow calculation to ASME VIII Div 1 which would be the logical method.
Can someone please tell me why one cannot use UG-37 (VIII, Div 1), understand 31.3 doenst allow it, but why?
Surely this is a common connection in the industry with no simple solution?





RE: ASME B31.3 "Hill side connections" & ASME VIII Div 1
Practical people know that the rules which render an ASME VIII-1 pressure vessel safe, can also be applied to the design and fabrication of piping- not blindly, but judiciously with proper engineering judgment and commonsense.
B31.3 doesn't distinguish between a piping branch connection, which must remain safe against potentially very large forces and moments which may be applied on the run pipe by that piping branch, and a non-moment instrument or tubing connection. ASME VIII does make this distinction, allowing instrument branches to be designed differently.
Speak to the owner- I have met few owners who will not permit special connections in piping to be designed and fabricated per ASME VIII. Our own specs spell this out in detail.
RE: ASME B31.3 "Hill side connections" & ASME VIII Div 1
RE: ASME B31.3 "Hill side connections" & ASME VIII Div 1