ASME B31.3 Design

Calculate the minimum required wall thickness for internal pressure using the B31.3 Para. 304.1.2 equation.

Apply corrosion, erosion, and mechanical allowances to the calculated minimum wall thickness.

Account for manufacturer's mill tolerance and select the appropriate commercial pipe schedule that satisfies the minimum required thickness.

Calculate the maximum allowable pressure for a given pipe size, schedule, material, and temperature.

Perform a complete straight pipe pressure design calculation from given process conditions to final pipe schedule selection.

Determine the bend radius requirements and their effect on wall thinning during fabrication.

Calculate the minimum required wall thickness at the intrados and extrados of a pipe bend per Para. 304.2.1.

Calculate the maximum allowable pressure for a single miter bend per Para. 304.2.3.

Calculate the maximum allowable pressure for a closely-spaced miter bend per Para. 304.2.3.

Solve example problems comparing straight pipe, bend, and miter bend pressure design results.

Identify the reinforcement zone boundaries for a branch connection per Para. 304.3.3.

Calculate the required and available reinforcement areas for a branch connection per Para. 304.3.

Determine if a branch connection is adequately reinforced without a reinforcement pad.

Size a reinforcement pad to provide adequate reinforcement when the inherent area is insufficient.

Evaluate the pressure design of an extruded outlet header per Para. 304.3.4.

Solve a branch connection reinforcement problem where the inherent area is sufficient.

Solve a branch connection reinforcement problem where a reinforcement pad must be sized.

Determine the required flange rating class for given design conditions using ASME B16.5 pressure-temperature tables.

Verify flange adequacy when the design temperature or pressure falls between tabulated values in ASME B16.5.

Calculate the required thickness of a flat metallic blank (blind flange) per Para. 304.5.3.

Calculate the required thickness of a conical reducer per Para. 304.6.

Calculate the required thickness for standard dished closures (ellipsoidal, torispherical) per referenced ASME Section VIII rules.

Solve an example problem to select an appropriate flange rating class for a given design condition.

Solve an example problem to calculate the required thickness for a flat blank or dished closure.

Calculate the total thermal displacement in a piping segment given the temperature change and thermal expansion coefficient.

Determine when a formal flexibility analysis is required versus when it may be waived per Para. 319.4.1.

Apply the simplified approximate flexibility criterion for two-anchor systems with no intermediate restraints.

Determine the flexibility factor (k) for a standard fitting and calculate its effect on the stiffness of a piping component.

Calculate the stress intensification factor (SIF) for standard fittings using Appendix D formulas and tables.

Distinguish between in-plane and out-of-plane SIFs and apply the correct SIF for a given loading direction on a fitting.

Write the sustained stress equation per Para. 302.3.5 and identify each term.

Calculate the longitudinal pressure stress component in a pipe.

Calculate the longitudinal bending stress due to weight (dead loads) for a given span and support configuration.

Determine the allowable sustained stress limit (Sh) at the design temperature.

Evaluate whether a piping segment passes or fails the sustained stress criterion.

Use sustained stress calculations to determine maximum allowable support spacing.

Solve a sustained stress analysis problem for a simple piping configuration with given loads.

Write the displacement stress range equation per Para. 319.4.4 and identify each term.

Model a simple guided cantilever beam to calculate the anchor reaction force and moment due to thermal expansion.

Apply stress intensification factors (SIFs) to calculated moments to find the effective moment for stress calculation.

Calculate the displacement stress range from thermal expansion forces and moments at a given point.

Calculate the allowable displacement stress range (SA) using cold and hot allowable stresses and the stress range reduction factor (f).

Evaluate whether a piping segment passes or fails the displacement stress range criterion.

Apply the liberal allowable stress provision that permits unused sustained stress to supplement the displacement stress range.

Solve a displacement stress analysis problem for a simple L-shaped or Z-shaped piping system.

Identify common occasional loads in process piping (wind, seismic, pressure surge, relief valve discharge).

Write the occasional stress equation and identify the allowable stress limit per Para. 302.3.6.

Calculate occasional stresses in a piping segment given an applied wind load on exposed piping.

Determine the equivalent static seismic load on a piping system based on seismic coefficients.

Calculate the bending stresses in a simple piping configuration resulting from an applied seismic load.

Evaluate the combined sustained plus occasional stress against code allowable limits.

Solve an example problem combining sustained and occasional loads for a given piping configuration.

Identify the function of each pipe support type (rest, guide, anchor, spring hanger) and determine the appropriate type for a given piping condition.

Calculate anchor loads resulting from thermal expansion of restrained piping.

Interpret pipe stress analysis output to determine support reactions and identify overstressed locations.

Identify piping system conditions that necessitate the use of a spring support (e.g., high thermal movement, excessive nozzle loads).

Calculate the required hot and cold loads and the total vertical travel for a spring hanger location.

Select an appropriate variable or constant effort spring from a manufacturer's catalog based on load and travel requirements.

Given a piping isometric with a proposed support scheme, identify errors in guide and restraint placement that would improperly restrict thermal expansion.

For a given piping isometric, determine the minimum required guides and restraints to prevent excessive sagging or lateral movement.

Verify the correct application of design conditions (pressure, temperature) and allowable stresses in a given design document.

Verify the wall thickness calculation for straight pipe in a given design document, including all allowances and final schedule selection.

Verify the reinforcement calculation for a branch connection in a given design document.

Verify the pressure design of a component such as a bend, flange, or blank in a given design document against its relevant B31.3 paragraph.

Verify sustained stress results in a piping stress analysis report against the B31.3 allowable limit (Sh).

Verify displacement stress range results in a piping stress analysis report against the B31.3 allowable limit (SA).

Verify occasional stress results in a piping stress analysis report against the B31.3 allowable limit.

Diagnose common design errors and code violations in a sample piping design calculation package.

Establish design conditions and perform preliminary pipe selection for a comprehensive case study.

Execute and document the pressure design of all components (pipe, bends, branches) for the case study.

Perform and document the sustained stress analysis for the case study, including preliminary support design.

Perform and document the displacement stress analysis for the case study, refining the design as needed.

Finalize the support selection and produce a summary report demonstrating overall code compliance for the case study.

Apply quality and inspection experience to evaluate the constructability and inspectability of the final design.