MODULE 1.A.3 ASME B31.

3 FAMILIARISATION

ASME B31.3 FAMILIARITY, CONTENT AND TERMINOLOGY Module Reference: Distance learning 1.A.3 Primary purpose of To take the first steps in becoming familiar with the this module layout and contents of ASME B31.3 Secondary purpose To understand some of the specific terms, acronyms and of this module symbols that are used in ASME B31.3 Suggested learning 4 hrs time ASME B31.3, API 570 Documents needed Self-test papers included 2 x 10 questions

MODULE INTRODUCTION

This module is about starting to become familiar with the content of ASME B31.3 Process Piping. This is, basically, a construction code for the manufacture and testing of new pipework. It is sub-divided into a large number of chapters and sections, several of which cover subjects relevant to repair, pressure testing and related in-service activities. ASME B31.3 is one of the related codes referenced frequently in API 570 (as explained in the previous training course module 1.A.1) and so forms an important part of the API 570 examination syllabus ASME B31.3 is a large document, comprising over 150 pages of closely written text and diagrams. Fortunately, as it is predominantly a standard for new construction, much of this is not included in the API 570 syllabus and less than 30 pages need to be studied in detail. This is supplemented by about a further 20-30 pages that contain more general information about piping systems; a general familiarity with which is useful to help you understand the terminology and general approach of the code. As with API 570, the ASME B31.3 code cross-references other standards. The main one is ASME B16.5, which covers the design and testing of bolted flanges (see the next training module1.A.3). Other references are made to the ASME IX (welding) and ASME V (NDE) codes

Which parts of ASME B31.3 have to be studied for the API 570 exam? These are fairly well defined and not that difficult to understand, once you have got used to their ideas and terminology. They cover areas such as weld joint efficiency factors, calculation of maximum internal pressure (MAWP), pressure testing, and repair-related activities such as welding and NDE. This is supplemented by sections covering important mechanical material properties; mainly tensile strength and impact (Charpy) strength

API 570 online :Mod 1.A.3: B31.3 Revised July 2010

FIRST STEP
Click here

Review this powerpoint presentation that shows the concept of ASME B31.3 and how it relates to API 570 Have a look, in your copy of API 570, at the references to ASME B31.3 indicated in the powerpoint presentation

Re-run the presentation as required, until youve got a good idea about how API 570 and ASME B31.3 fit together.

NEXT STEP

Click here

Review this second powerpoint presentation that summarises the contents of ASME B31.3 and which parts of it you are going to need to study and understand for the API 570 examination

THEN
In your copy of ASME B31.3, find all the sections/paragraph numbers shown in the above presentation and identify them with post-it notes. Write the subject on each post-it note (e.g. weld joint factors) so you can find it easily when opening the code.

So that we can start to build up your familiarity with B31.3, we are going to look at some of the definitions that form its basis. Most of them are straightforward but there may be a few concepts or particular US terminology that you may not be too familiar with.

API 570 online :Mod 1.A.3: B31.3 Revised July 2010

NOW DO THIS
1. Read once through your B31.3 Chapter 1 (Scope and definitions).When you are reading, pay particular attention to what it says about the following two subjects: How the code treats different types of fluids (termed fluid service) What types of systems are excluded from the B31.3 code
2. Close the code and try to answer these five starter

questions. Aim to absorb enough when you are reading to enable you to get the questions all right
QS

UNITS Like most other American-based codes ASME B31.3 uses predominantly USCS units. USCS stands for United States) Customary System sometimes also known as the inch pound system. This differs slightly from the old Imperial system of units traditionally used in the UK. The most recent edition of B31.3 actually prints duplicate units in the text (with the SI unit appearing first), but this does not extend fully to all parts of the code. Important areas such as Table A-1 (the long table containing the allowable stresses for materials) remain in USCS units.

We must therefore learn to convert easily from one system of units to another. This is not too difficult as there are only three parameters of real importance in a study of API 570/B31.3: length, temperature and pressure.

Length The USCS unit of length in the inch (normally shortened to in). US codes use this regularly for common linear measurements such as the diameter and wall thicknesses of pipes, vessels and similar. The only two parameters for which conversions are required are temperature and pressure. The simple conversion is: 1 in = 25.4mm API 570 online :Mod 1.A.3: B31.3 Revised July 2010

A strictly correct USCS -to- SI conversions would recognise that the SI unit of length is actually the metre m, not the millimetre mm, but mm tends to be a more convenient term Temperature Although the SI unit of temperature is is Kelvin (K), the most commonly used unit is degrees Celsius (C). Absolute zero is defined as 0 K or -273.15 C, the point at which a perfect gas has zero volume. The imperial unit of temperature is degrees Fahrenheit (F). The conversion between Celsius and Fahrenheit is: C

= 5/9 (F - 32)

F = 9/5 (C) + 32
Note: you can find an easy conversion calculator on: www.metric-conversions.org/temperature-conversion.htm A few of the more common temperatures relating to pipework issues are as shown below:

Freezing point of water (0C) = 32F Boiling point of water (100C)=212F 1000F =537.8C Highest temp shown on B31.3 material properties table (1500F) = 815.5C

Pressure Strictly, the SI unit of pressure is the Pascal (Pa) a very small unit defined a 1 Newton per square metre (1 N/m2) 1 Pa = 1 N/m2 In practice, this is such as small unit as to be useless for most practical situations, so the larger unit of kilopascal (kPa) or megaPascal(MPa) is normally used. These are convenient because: kPa gives a convenient round number for common pressures :e.g. 1 bar =100kPa API 570 online :Mod 1.A.3: B31.3 Revised July 2010

MPa gives a useful co-incidence of pressure or stress units e.g. 200 MPa = 200 MN/m2= 200 N/mm2 Many of pressures quoted in B31.3 are given in kPa

Conversion to pounds per square inch (psi or lb/in2) uses the following formula:

1 Pa = 1.45038 x 10-4 i.e. psi or, more practically pressure is quoted as ksi ,which stands for thousand psi i.e. 1 ksi = 1000 psi (note it does not mean kg/in2)

Note that ksi is used more commonly as a stress unit in B31.3 (particularly in the allowable material stress table A-1)

The following conversion chart can be used to convert all the pressure units that you will find in B31.1.Note the conversions given between ksi and MPa

API 570 online :Mod 1.A.3: B31.3 Revised July 2010

PRESSURE CONVERSIONS

KSI

x 1000

KSI/0.14503= MPa

MPa x 0.14503= KSI

PSI
x 0.0703 x 6.895. 10-3 x 0.06895

x 14.503

x 14.223

Kg/cm2

x 0.9807 x 1.0197 x 145.03

Bar

x 0.1

x 0.09807

x 10.197

x 10.0

N/mm (MPa)

API 570 online :Mod 1.A.3: B31.3 Revised July 2010

3.DEFINITIONS

NEXT

Q1

Some clarification points that you may find useful are: Then try these ten straightforward unit conversion questions (click Q1).

You can use the pressure conversions chart and temperature conversion formulae given in these notes. Persevere with these questions until you can get them consistently correct.

NEXT: SYMBOLS AND UNITS USED IN B31.3

Finally in this introductory module we are going to look at some of the various symbols and terminology used in B31.3.These appear in the relevant parts of B31.3 that we have already identified using post-it notes. They are not difficult, but you need to become familiar with them before using them in more details in future modules.
Ppt 3 Click here

NOW DO THIS
Review this powerpoint presentation that shows some of the symbols and units on which the B31.1 code is based. As you work through the presentation, look at the parts of the code shown, and identify the symbols/units mentioned. Pay particular attention to: The symbol(s) representing various types of stress The symbols representing weld factors The mysterious coefficient

FINALLY

Q2

Try these ten questions covering subjects introduced in this module.

API 570 online :Mod 1.A.3: B31.3 Revised July 2010