General Design 85

Procedure 2-12: Nozzle Reinforcement

The following are only guidelines based on Section 5. Forming.

VIII, Division 1 of the ASME Code [1]. This is not an Reinforcing pads should be formed as closely to
attempt to cover every possibility nor is it to become the contour of the vessel as possible. While nor-
a substitute for using the Code. mally put on the outside of the vessel, re-pads can
also be put inside providing they do not interfere
1. Limits.
with the vessel’s operation [1, Section UG-82].
a. No reinforcement other than that inherent in the
6. Tell-tale holes.
construction is required for nozzles [1, Section
Reinforcing pads should be provided with a 1/4-in.
UG-36(c)(3)]:
tapped hole located at least 45 off the longitudinal
• 3-in. pipe size and smaller in vessel walls
center line and given an air-soap suds test [1,
3/8–in. and less.
Section UW-15(d)].
• 2-in. pipe size and smaller in vessel walls
7. Elliptical or obround openings.
greater than 3/8 in.
When reinforcement is required for elliptical or
b. Normal reinforcement methods apply to [1,
obround openings and the long dimension exceeds
Section UG-36(b)(1)]:
twice the short dimension, the reinforcement across
• Vessels 60-in. diameter and lessd1/2 the
the short dimension shall be increased to guard
vessel diameter but not to exceed 20 in.
against excessive distortion due to twisting
• Vessels greater than 60-in. diameterd1/3 the
moment [1, Section UG-36(a)(1)].
vessel diameter but not to exceed 40 in.
8. Openings in flat heads.
c. For nozzle openings greater than the limits of
Reinforcement for openings in flat heads and blind
guideline 1.b., reinforcement shall be in accor-
flanges shall be as follows [1, Section UG-39]:
dance with Appendix 1-7 of the ASME Code.
a. Openings < 1/2 head diameterdarea to be
2. Strength.
replaced equals 0.5d (tr), or thickness of head or
It is advisable but not mandatory for reinforcing
flange may be increased by:
pad material to be the same as the vessel material
• Doubling C value.
[1, Section UG-41]:
• Using C ¼ 0.75.
a. If a higher strength material is used, either in
• Increasing head thickness by 1.414.
the pad or in the nozzle neck, no additional
b. Openings > 1/2 head diameterdshall be
credit may be taken for the higher strength.
designed as a bolted flange connection. See
b. If a lower strength material is used, either in the
Procedure 2-15.
pad or in the nozzle, then the area taken as
9. Openings in torispherical heads.
reinforcement must be decreased proportion-
When a nozzle opening and all its reinforcement
ately by the ratio of the allowable stress values
fall within the dished portion, the required thick-
of the two materials. Weld material taken as
ness of head for reinforcement purposes shall be
reinforcement must also be decreased as
computed using M ¼ 1 [1, Section UG-37(a)].
a proportion, assuming the weld material is the
10. Openings in elliptical heads.
same strength as the weaker of the two materials
When a nozzle opening and all its reinforcement fall
joined.
within 0.8D of an elliptical head, the required
3. Thickness.
thickness of the head for reinforcement purposes
While minimum thicknesses are given in Reference
shall be equal to the thickness required for a seam-
1, Section UG-16(b), it is recommended that pads
less sphere of radius K(D) [1, Section UG-37(a)].
be not less than 75% nor more than 150% of the
11. General.
part to which they are attached.
Reinforcement should be calculated in the
4. Width.
corroded condition assuming maximum tolerance
While no minimum is stated, it is recommended
(minimum t). For non x-rayed vessels, tr must be
that re-pads be at least 2 in. wide.