se of Type (3) welds in ASME Pressure Vessel

Design
File: PVE-6022, Last Updated: March 23, 2012, By: LRB

Conclusion: Table UW-12 provides 8 types of welds with appropriate efficiencies to use
when differing levels of radiography is applied. Confusion exists when trying to determine if
a single welded circ weld in a small vessel is type 1 or type 3. Our answer based on
experience and code interpretations is that it is a type (1) weld as long as the back side can
be inspected; otherwise it becomes a type (3).

Definition of Type (1):

Joint Description: Butt joints as attained by double-welding or by other means which
will obtain the same quality of deposited weld metal on the inside and outside weld
surfaces to agree with the requirements of UW-35. Welds using metal backing strips which
remain in place are excluded.
Efficiency: is 1, 0.85 or 0.7 depending upon the degree of radiography applied

A long seam welded from one side with no backing strip - always Type 1

Definition of Type (3):

Joint Description: Single-welded butt joint with- out use of backing strip
Restrictions: Circumferential butt joints only, not over 5/8" thick and not over 24 inch
outside diameter
Efficiency: is 0.60 only for no radiography

A circ seam on a small vessel welded from one side only with no backing strip - is it Type (1) or
Type (3) ?

The confusion always comes from determining what is the equivalent of double welding?
Can a joint be welded from one side only and still be considered to be the equivalent of
double welding? ASME has a few of interpretations that directly address this issue:
Interpretation:

VIII-1-83-220

Subject:

Section VIII, Division 1; UW-12

Date Issued:

February 22, 1984

File:

BC83-557

Question (1):

For vessels of small diameter, not accessible for welding from the inside, as well
as for vessels of large diameter where welding from the inside is possible, it is
proposed to weld both the longitudinal and circumferential seams with single
side full penetration welds. TIG and SMAW or TIC; and SAW processes with
argon backing for the root run will be used. May these be considered to be
Type 1 joints in Table UW-12 of Section VIII, Division 1?

Reply (1):

Yes.

Question (2):

Will the degree of examination affect the determination of the type of joints?

Reply (2):

No.

Interpretation:

VIII-1-83-291

Subject:

Section VIII, Division 1; UW-12

Date Issued:

June 29, 1984

File:

BC84-191

Question:

For vessels of small diameter, not accessible for welding from inside, as well as

for vessels of large diameters where welding from inside is possible, it is

proposed to weld both longitudinal and circumferential seams with single side
full penetration welds. GTAW, GMAW, SMAW, and SAW processes with
fiberglass tape backing for the root run will be used. May these be considered
to be Type No. (1) joints as described in Table UW-12 of Section VIII,
Division 1?
Reply:

Yes.

Interpretation:

VIII-1-83-267

Subject:

Section VIII, Division 1; Table UW-12, Joint Types

Date Issued:

May 31, 1984

File:

BC84-090

Question:

A circumferential joint of greater than 24 in. 0. D. is made with a single-welded

full penetration butt weld. Is this a Type No. (1) joint as given in Table UW-12 of
Section VIII, Division 1?

Reply:

Yes, provided the requirements in UW-35 and UW-37(d) are met.

So it is permissible to consider single sided welds as type 1. Is it also permissible to

consider them as Type (3)?
Interpretation:

VIII-1-92-138

Subject:

Section VIII, Division 1 (1992 Edition, 1992 Addenda); Table UW-12

Date Issued:

March 17, 1993

File:

BC93-110

Questions:

Under the limitation requirements for Type No. (3) joints given in Table UW-12 of
Section VIII, Division 1, may the following be single welded and still be in
compliance using only circumferential butt joints:
1) Weld a vessel that has a 3/8 in. thick wall and is 20 in. in diameter?
2) Weld a vessel that has a 3/8 in. thick wall and is 30 in. in diameter?

Replies:

1) No.
2) No.

This interpretation prohibits the use of Type (3) joints regardless of the vessel size (over or
under 24 inch in diameter). If Type (3) is not allowed, all that is left is Type (1). Personally I
would have expected (1) above, the 20 inch diameter vessel to be allowed as a Type (3)...
Our Experience indicates that the use of Type (1) joints is acceptable as long as the back
side of the weld can be visually inspected after welding. We have been asked to use Type
(3) occasionally - primarily when the back sides of welds cannot be inspected. About once
every few years we will be asked to change from a Type (1) to Type (3) weld for other
reasons - which we will make as requested. These requests are not surprising as this section
of the code book is a mess and very hard to understand or reach consensus on. The change
from Type (3) to Type (1) usually does not affect the design of a vessel as the long seam
efficiency normally governs the design thickness.

JOINT EFFICIENCIES (ASME CODE)

JOINT EFFICIENCIES (ASME CODE)

Information data Joint Efficiencies (ASME Code). We can use this reference for design data in calculation
and drawing project. We can learn data as below :

Notes :

1.

In table C-2 joint efficiencies and allowable stresses for shell are for longitudinal seams only and
all joints are assumed as Type 1 only.

2.

Part radiography : Applies to vessels not fully radiographed where the designer wishes to apply
a joint efficiency of 1.0 per ASME code, Table UW-12, for only a specific part of a vessel. Specifically for
any part to meet this requirement, you must perform the following :

(ASME Code, Section UW (5)) : Fully X-ray any Category A or D butt welds.
(ASME Code, Section UW-11 (5)(b)) : Spot X-ray any Category B or C butt welds attaching the part.
(ASME Code, Section UW-11 (5)(a)) : All butt joints must be Type 1 or 2.

3.

Any Category B or C butt weld in a nozzle or communicating chamber of a vessel or vessel part
which is to have a joint efficiency of 1.0 and exceeds either 10-in. Nominal pipe size or 1-1/4 in. In wall
thickness shall be fully radiographed. See ASME code, sections UW-11 (a)(4).

4.

In order to have a joint efficiency of 1.0 for a seamless part, the Category B seam attaching the
part must, as a minimum, be spot examined.