We have worked it out through our AI. Under App-24 we are treating the flange facing as a hub due to the clamp taking the stress vs. bolts integral to a std bolted flange.
Before you get to far - if the weldneck flange is of the bolted type connection - then App 2-2(a) gets you back to UG-14 which disallows the use of bar for flanges.
UG-14(b) was just added in the 2005 Addenda to clarify per Code Case 2148, the use of bar for Nozzles.
I've checked the ASME internet site. All I got there was the Title "Use of Rod and Bar for Nozzle Necks". Where do code cases go? Why doesn't the code document them? I find interpretations with some secondary reference to this code case.
Our AI is questioning our use of SA479 Tri-Clamp Ferrules in code vessels. He sighted code case 2148, which as far as I can tell deals only w/Nozzle Necks.
Anybody having some insight, I would deeply appreciate the help.
BradSr