CASES OF THE CODE FOR PRESSURE PIPING - B31

ASME B31.3 CASES

B31 CASE 184
Use of Ultrasonic Examination of Welds as an Alternative to Radiographic Examination in ASME
B31.3, Chapter IX
Approval Date: 10/29/2009
This Case shall expire upon the publication of ASME B31.32010 Edition.
Inquiry: Under what conditions and limitations may ultrasonic examination of welds be used as an
alternative to radiographic examination for ASME B31.32008 Edition, Chapter IX piping systems?
Reply: It is the opinion of the Committee that ultrasonic examination of welds may be used as an
alternative to the radiographic examination specified in ASME B31.32008 Edition for Chapter IX piping
systems, provided that the requirements specified in paras. K341.4.2 and K342 and Table K341.3.2 be
modified as follows, and that the requirements of a new para. K344.6.3, shown below, be met:
K341.4.2 Radiographic and Ultrasonic Examination
(a) All girth, longitudinal, and branch connection welds shall be 100% radiographically examined,
except as permitted in (b) below.
(b) When specified in the engineering design and with the owners approval, ultrasonic examination of
welds may be substituted for radiographic examination where w 13 mm ( in.).
(c) In-process examination (see para. 344.7) shall not be substituted for radiographic or ultrasonic
examination of welds.
NOTE: w = Twbar
K342 EXAMINATION PERSONNEL
Paragraph 342 applies, except that personnel performing and evaluating results of ultrasonic
examination of welds shall be qualified and certified UT Level II or III in accordance with ASNT SNTTC-1A, ACCP (ASNT Central Certification Program), or CP-189 (Qualification and Certification of
Nondestructive Testing Personnel). Qualification of these personnel shall also be by written
examination.
K344.6.3 Welds. The method for ultrasonic examination of welds shall be as specified in the ASME
BPV Code, Section V, Article 4 and Section VIII, Division 3, KE-301 and KE-302, except that
(a) Performance demonstration shall be required.
(b) The employers written practice for UT personnel qualification shall meet ASNT SNT-TC-1A,
ACCP, or CP-189. The recommended guidelines in SNT-TC-1A, ACCP, or CP-189 shall be required.
(c) Written procedure in accordance with Section V, T-421.1 shall be required.
(d) Procedure qualification in accordance with Section V, T-421.1 shall be required.
REVISED TABLE K341.3.2: See Page 2.

B31 CASE 184

CASES OF THE CODE FOR PRESSURE PIPING - B31
ASME B31.3-2008

Table K341.3.2

(08)

Acceptance Criteria for Welds

Criteria (A-E) for Types of Welds, and for Required
Examination Methods [Note (I)]
Type of Weld

Methods
Type of
Imperfection

Visual

Crack
lack of fusion
Incomplete penetration
Internal porosity
Slag inclusion or elongated indication
Undercutting
Surface porosity or exposed slag inclusion
Concave root surface (suck-up)
Surface finish
Reinforcement or internal protrusion
GENERAL NOTE:

X
X
X

X
X
X
X
X

Ultrasonics or
Radiography

Girth
Groove

Longitudinal
Groove
[Note (2)]

Fillet
[Note (3)]

Branch
Connection
[Note (4)]

X
X
X
X
X
X

A
A
A
B
C
A
A
D
E
F

A
A
A
B
C
A
A
D
E
F

A
A
A
NA
NA
A
A
NA
E
F

A
A
A
B
C
A
A
D
E
F

X = required examination; NA = not applicable; ... = not required.

Criterion Value Notes for Table K341.3.2
Criterion

Symbol

A
B

Measure
Extent of imperfection

Zero (no evident imperfection)

Size and distribution of internal porosity

See BPV Code, Section VIII, Division I, Appendix 4

Slag inclusion or elongated indication: Indications are unacceptable if the amplitude exceeds the reference
level, or indications have lengths that exceed
Individual length
< 19 mm (Yo in)
19 rom (% in.) <
57 mm (2~ in.)
t" > 57 mrn (2Y. in.)

t.

6mrn~~

Cumulative length
D

Acceptable Value Limits [Note (5)]

1;

~~~~

t .. in any 12 t.. weld length

Depth of surface concavity

Wall Thickness,
mm (in.)

Depth of Surface Concavity,

mm (in.)

Two

1.5 e1t6)
~ 3 (Va)
> 51 (2)
$ 4
(%2)
and total joint thickness including weld reinforcement

S 13 (%)
> 13 CV2) and

"Z

Su rface rough ness

51 (2)

Tw

$ 12.5 f.Lm (500 f.Lin.)

Ra (see ASME B46.1 for definition of

roughness average, Ra )

Height of reinforcement or internal protrusion [Note (6)]

in any plane through the weld shall be within the
limits of the applicable height value in the tabulation at the right. Weld metal shall be fused with and
merge smoothly into the component surfaces.

Wall Thickness,
Tw , mm (in.)

External Weld Reinforcement

or Internal Weld Protrusion,
mm (in.)

$13 eh)
> 13 (%) and $ 51 (2)
> 51 (2)

$ 1.5

e1t6)

~ 3

(Va)

$4

Wd

NOTES:
(1) Criteria given are for required examination. More stringent criteria may be specified in the engineering design.
(2) longitudinal welds include only those permitted in paras. K302.3.4 and K305. The radiographic criteria shall be met by all welds,
including those made in accordance with a standard listed in Table K326.1 or in Appendix K.
(3) Fillet welds include only those permitted in para. K311.2.2.
(4) Branch connection welds include only those permitted in para. K328.5.4.
(5) Where two limiting values are given, the lesser measured value governs acceptance. Tw is the nominal wall thickness of the thinner of
two components joined by a butt weld.
(6) For groove welds, height is the lesser of the measurements made from the surfaces of the adjacent components. For fillet welds,
height is measured from the theoretical throat; internal protrusion does not apply. Required thickness tm shall not include reinforcement or internal protrusion.

132
Copyright 2008 by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
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