Tube to Tubesheet welds

[ChrisPer]

Hello MetEngr: Your post (Yr-2016) ... "The code requires examination of four exposed surfaces from sectioning regardless if they are mirror images" ... described what we ourselves used to do for sectioning mockups for macro-exam. But the Code is not explicit on this, and for the past few years we were made to alter our practice and have our mockups sectioned both lengthwise and cross-wise through tube centres, exposing 80 surfaces per 10 tubes (of which 40 are mirror images). Do you have any recent authoritative references for me to justify going back to 40 surfaces of which 20 are mirror images? I cannot find any interpretation which is explicit. Many thanks - I have enjoyed reading your knowledgeable posts.

 

[weldstan]

Metengr has not been on this site for some time now. Not having access to ASME IX anymore, I cannot provide an answer to your question, but your current practice does seem excessive. It certainly goes beyond the original ASME requirements.

 

[MJCronin]

Weldstan ...

There have been far fewer people participating on this site than in years past ..

Where has everybody gone ?

Any recommendations ?

MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer

 

[weldstan]

MJCronin. It's possible some of the losses are due to death or illness. When I no longer feel that I can contribute, I too will leave. But that time is not yet.

 

[EdStainless]

This seems to be an interpretation question as I have seen a variety of approaches used.
I don't believe that you can nail it down.
You can always ask your AI for the documentation supporting their interpretation.

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P.E. Metallurgy, consulting work welcomed

 

[ChrisPer]

Thank you, All. I guess that there is no documented authority for either the single-cut or double-cut of a Tube-to-Tubesheet mockup. Seems to me that many welding engineers and QA personnel feel uncertain about this, and it would be good if ASME could issue an interpretation (or better still) write up QW-193 definitively one way or the other for the next edition of Section IX.