2010 SECTION VIII, DIVISION 2
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6.8.4.2 Welding Procedure Qualification
a) The minimum and maximum thicknesses qualified by procedure qualification test plates shall be as
shown in Table QW-451 of Section IX, except that:
1) For the longitudinal joints of the layer section of the shell, the qualification shall be based upon the
thickness of the thickest individual layer exclusive of the inner shell or inner head.
2) For circumferential joint procedure qualification, the thickness of the layered test plate need not
exceed 75 mm (3 in.), shall consist of at least 2 layers, but shall not be less than 50 mm (2 in.) in
thickness.
3) For circumferential weld joints made individually for single layers and spaced at least one layer
thickness apart, the procedure qualification for the longitudinal joint applies.
b) The longitudinal weld joint of the inner shell or inner head and the longitudinal weld joint of the layer shell
or layer head shall be qualified separately except if of the same P-Number material. The weld gap of
the longitudinal layer weld joint shall be the minimum width used in the procedure qualification for layers
22 mm (7/8 in.) and less in thickness.
c) The circumferential weld joint of the layer to layer shell or to layer head shall be qualified with a
simulated layer test plate as shown in Figure 6.4 for layer thicknesses 22 mm (7/8 in.) and under. A
special type of joint tensile specimen shall be made from the layer test coupon as shown in Figure 6.5.
Face and root bend specimens shall be made of both the inner and outer weld to the thickness of the
layer by cutting the weld to the layer thickness.
d) The circumferential weld joint of the layer shell for layer thicknesses 22 mm (7/8 in.) and under to the
solid head, flange, or end closure shall be qualified with a simulated layer test coupon as shown in
Figure 6.4, wherein one side of the test coupon is solid throughout its entire thickness. A special type of
joint tensile specimen shall be made from the test coupon as shown in Figure 6.5. Face and root bend
specimens shall be made of both the inner and outer weld to the thickness of the layer by slicing the
weld and solid portion to the layer thickness.
6.8.4.3 Welding Performance Qualification
Welding shall be performed only by welders and welding operators who have been qualified in accordance
with Section IX. The minimum and maximum thicknesses qualified by any welder test plate shall be as
shown in Table QW-452 of Section IX.
6.8.5 Specific Requirements for Welded Joints
6.8.5.1 The rules of the following paragraphs shall be used in lieu of paragraphs 6.2.4 and 6.2.6.
6.8.5.2 Welding of Joints
Paragraph 4.13.6 covers the types of joints permitted, according to location, in layered vessels and their
components. Paragraph 4.13.7 covers rules for attaching nozzles and other pressure connections by welding.
Paragraph 4.2.5.6 and paragraph 4.13.10 provide rules for attaching nonpressure parts and stiffeners.
Examination requirements are summarized in Table 7.4.
6.8.5.3 Type No.1 Butt Joints
a) Type No. 1 butt joints are defined in paragraph 4.2.3 and Table 4.2.2.
b) Type No. 1 butt joints shall have complete joint penetration and full fusion and shall be free from
undercuts, overlaps, or abrupt ridges or valleys (See Table 7.6, No. 6). To assure that the weld grooves
are completely filled so that the surface of the weld metal at any point does not fall below the surface of
the adjoining plate, weld metal may be built up as reinforcement on both sides of the plate. The
thickness of the reinforcement on each side of the plate shall not exceed the limits specified in paragraph
6.2.4.1.d.