ASME BPVC Section VIII, Division 2 - Design by analysis of welded joints

[ldffernandes]

Hello,

If a pressure vessel is to be designed by analysis and if the designer intends to validate the dimensions/geometry of the welded joints he specified without resorting to Part 4 for welded joint details, what steps should the designer take in order to analyse the weld joint?

For instance lets think of a "very simple" circular pressure vessel with flat faces on both ends and a category B type 2 circumferential weld joint on the main shell.

- What toe blend angle should the designer use for analysis?​

- Should the designer define the weld face as an arc? Or perhaps some other more complex geometry like a spline?​

- Can the designer apply small radius fillets to the weld toes as to avoid stress singularities?​

Perhaps the answers to the above questions will allude to a sensitivity analysis, but I am curious about your opinion.

 

[TGS4]

It somewhat depends on whether the component is in cyclic service or not.

There is no guidance provided in this regard, so a sensitivity analysis may be necessary. My strong recommendation, however, is to use the elastic-plastic analysis method for demonstrating Protection Against Local Failure.