In reply to
"Since welds are made to a qualified WPS/PQR are typically stronger than, and always as strong as, the basemetal, ASME sets no limits on weld spacing" - I would disagree. With pressure vessels there is allowances for weld efficiencies, which implies welds cannot be stronger than the base material, or as strong as. This may not be the actual fact in the real world, but for engineering it makes sense. The strenght of the weld is limited to the weakest part - so if the base material is weaker, then this is the limiting factor. Also, not all welds are free from inpurities - hence I guess why there is a weld effeciency allowance.