Bolted Cover Nozzle Reinforcement

[rawENG]

The problem I'm having is that I think there is excessive reinforcement in a nozzle thru an ANSI blind flange. The nozzle is large enough that the blind flange is considered a bolted cover. The Compress calculation in particular is using the actual flange thickness (about 3.75") instead of the minimum design thickness (about 3") to get the required weld reinforcement.

So, does anyone know if the minimum design thickness should be used to calculate the weld required to reinforce a nozzle in a bolted cover? If so, is there a setting in Compress that I'm not seeing that will do this.

Thanks.