ASME Sec. VIII 2013 Div. 1 Repairs question

[Cloya14]

I am trying to figure out if there is a limit on repairs of a weld joint before the HAZ needs to be cut out. Currently we repair a part for a customer about once a year and we continually have done this on that part about 8 times. Neither UG-78 or UW-38 cover anything on this so im stuck and would like input from the experts. Thanks in advance.

 

[TGS4]

This would not be covered by ASME Section VIII, Division 1, because it is a Code of Construction. You would need to refer to one of the repair and testing standards.

 

[Cloya14]

If the code book used for repairs is the Nation Board Inspection Code part 3 and it doesnt mention anywhere in the code removal of Heat affected zones after so many welding repairs then it shouldn't be an issue regarding how many times a joint has been repaired?

 

[jte]

As stated in the forwards / introductions to the various codes... One still needs to use good engineering jugement. As TGS4 points out, VIII-1 won't cover a post-construction issue. If you aren't finding direct guidance in NBIC then you must use your jugement. It sounds as though you are concerned, which shows that you are not just following the rules but are thinking about what you are doing. This is a good start.

Making a decision would require getting some materials engineers involved to evaluate how the welding which has been historically performed may have impacted the steel's properties. You might start with some hardness testing to get some feel for how this material is currently behaving.

 

[metengr]

I am trying to figure out if there is a limit on repairs of a weld joint before the HAZ needs to be cut out.

As mentioned above, repairs during post construction (in service) would fall either under the NBIC or API 510 for guidance. Regarding this specific question, repairs on certain materials, like carbon steel, can be repaired an unlimited number of times IF the material is not impact qualified with PWHT. If the material is impact qualified along with the WPS (weld and HAZ), the number of times for repair is dictated by the aggregate time qualified for production PWHT.