API 653

Minimum Thickness For Welded Tank Shell, API 653

Where:

t = minumum acceptable thickness in inches

D = nominal diameter of tank in feet
H = liquid height from bottom of corroded area or floor in feet
C = course number ( C=1 for bottom course )
G = specific gravity relative to water (G = 1.0 for water)
S = maximum allowab le stress in psi. Use smaller of 0.8Y or 0.426T for bottom and 2nd course.
Use smaller of 0.88Y or 0.472T for all other courses.
Y = minimum yield strerength in psi
T = minimum tensile sttrength in psi
E = joint efficiency
Use E=0.7 if original E is unknown. Use E=1.0 when away from welds by 1 inch or 2t.

Calculation based on this formula: t = [2.6 D (H-1) G]/S E E from 2.3.3.1 of API Standard 653
Enter Values
D=
H=
C=
Y=
T=
G=
E=

38
24
1
13000
21000
1
0.7

Value of S selected,
Calculated minimum thickness,

0.8Y =
0.426T =

10400
8946

0.88Y =
0.472T =

8946

S=
t=

0.362876

Page 1

11440
9912

API 570

Minimum thickness for straight pipe, ANSI B31.3

Calculation based on t = PD/2SE from paragraph 304.1.2 of ANSI B31.3
where

t = pressure design thickness in inches

P = internal gage pressure in psi
S = stress value for material from stress table
D = outside diameter of pipe in inches
E = quality factor from table A-1A or A-1B

Enter values
P=
S=
D=
E=

240
20000
0.75
1

Calculated design thickness: t =

0.0045

Page 2

API 510, Shell

Minumum shell thickness for vessel under internal pressure:
Calculation based on ASME Section VIII, Division 1 paragraph UG-27.
Where:

t = minimum required thickness of shell, inches

P = internal pressure, psi
R = inside radius of shell course under consideration, inches
S = maximum allowable stress value, psi. at design temperature.
E = joint efficiency. See UW-12 for welded shells. See UG-53 for ligaments between openings.

The minumum thickness will be the greater thickness of t = (PR)/(SE - 0.6P) for circumferential stress or
t = (PR)/(2SE + 0.4P) for longitudinal stress.
Enter Values:
P=
R=
S=
E=

450 psi
14.5 inches
17,500 psi
0.85

Based on circumferential stress,

Based on longitudinal stress,

t=
t=

NOTE: The value of S is selected from the allowable stress tables and
in for the appropriste design temperature in
Section 2D ot the ASME code. Do not use yield or tensile
stregnth values as in API 653 calculations.
0.447 inches
0.218 inches

USE

Page 3

t=

0.447 inches

API 510, Formed Head

Formed vessel heads in Sterling Chemicals will generally fall into one of two categories.
Ellipsoidal: Inside depth of the head minus the skirt is equal to one fourth of the inside diameter of the skirt.
These are also commonly refered to as 2:1 elliptical heads.
Torispherical: Inside crown radius is equal to the outside diameter of the skirt and the knuckle radius is 0.06 times
the inside crown radius.
It will not be readily apparent in the field whether a head is ellipsoidal or torispherical so it's best to consult vendor
drawings and data.
The calculations below are for pressure on the concave side.
Thickness calculation for ellipsoidal head. Based on ASME Section VIII, Section UG-32(d)
t=(PD)/(2SE - 0.2P)

where

t = minimum required thickness of head, inches

D = inside diameter of head at skirt, inches
P = internal design pressure, psi
E = joint efficiency
S = maximum allowable stress value, psi

Enter values:

P=
D=
S=
E=

434 psi
120 inches
17500 psi
1

Calculated thickness,

t=

1.492 inches

Scroll down for torispherical head calculation.

Thickness calculation for torispherical head. Based on ASME Section VIII, Section UG-32(e)
t = (.885PL)/(SE-0.1P)

where t = minimum required thickness of head, inches

L = inside spherical or crown radius, inches
P = internal design pressure, psi
E = joint efficiency
S = maximum allowable stress value, psi

Enter values:

P=
L=
S=
E=

360 psi
48 inches
17500 psi
1

Calculated thickness,

t=

0.876 inches

Page 4

API 510, Bolted Flat Head

CALCULATION FOR THICKNESS OF BOLTED, FLAT UNSTAYED CIRCULAR HEADS, COVERS, AND BLIND FLANGES
Enter values:
Bolt circle diameter
Nominal bolt size
Number of bolts
Gasket Factor,
Seating stress,
Gasket O.D.,
Gasket I. D.,
Sealing Face O.D.,
Sealing Face I.D.,
Design pressure,

m=
y=
Go =
Gi
Fo =
Fi =
P=

48.625
0.75
52
3.75
9000
47.375
46.375
47.375
44.5
115

inches
inches

NOTE:
1. This program calculates the minimum required thickness for bolted, flat unstayed
circular heads, covers, and blind flanges of the type shown in
Fig. UG-34, sketch (j) and sketch (k) of Part UG-34 in the ASME Boiler and Pressure
Vessel Code, Section VIII, Division 1.

psi
inches
inches
inches
inches
psi

Allowable bolt stress at ambient

temperature,
Sb =

20000 psi

Allowable stress for head at design

temp,
S=

17500 psi

2. Enter the decimal equivalent of fractions in all dimensions.

3. Gasket Factor, m, and Seating Stress, y, for a given gasket material are obtained
from table 2-5.1 in Appendix 2 of the ASME Code or table UA-49.1 in the Lamons
Gasket Handbook.
4. The basic gasket seating width, bO, in cell C24 must be selected from table 2-5.2
in Appendix 2 of the ASME Code or table UA-49.2 in the Lamons Gasket Handbook
and manually entered at the cell location.
5. All formulas and tables in the Lamons Handbook are taken from Appendix 2 of
the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section Vlll, Division 1.

Calculated values:
Bolt area, single bolt
Total bolt area
Diameter at location of gasket load
reaction

A=
Ab =

0.334 in
17.368 in2
2

G=

46.88 inches

Width used to determine basic

seating width, bo

N=

0.50 inches

Basic seating width, table 2-5.2,

Appedix 2, ASME Sect. VIII

bo =

0.25

b=

0.25

Effective gasket seating width, table

2-5.2, App. 2 ASME Sect VIII
Initial bolt load for seating gasket

W m2 = 3.14bGy =

Bolt load required for operating

conditions

W m1 =

331340 lbs.

.785G2P + 6.28bGmP

Head thickness based on operating

conditions

t1 =

Head thickness based on gasket

seating

t2 = 0.8865659 inches

Operating conditions govern

therefore use t1

230212 lbs.

2.191 inches

2.191 inches

Page 5

Bolt area req'd

for seating

Am2 = W m2/Sb =

16.57 in2

Bolt area req'd

for operating

Am1 = W m1/Sb =

11.51 in2

Bolt area
selected

16.567 in2

Material Properties

MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE STRESS, KSI, FOR METAL TEMP. OF ===>

MINIMUM
TENSILE,
psi

MINUMUM
YIELD, psi

plate, sheet

58,000

smls. pipe

60,000

smls. pipe

-20 to
100

150

200

300

400

500

600

650

36,000

16.6

16.6

16.6 16.6 16.6

16.6

16.6

16.6

16.6

35,000

17.1

17.1

17.1

17.1

17.1

17.1

17.1

60,000

35,000

17.1

17.1

17.1

17.1

17.1

17.1

17.1

smls. tube

47,000

26,000

13.4

13.4

13.4

13.4

13.4

13.4

B7

bolting (<2.5")

125,000

105,000

25.0

25.0

25.0

25.0

25.0

B8M2

bolting (<2")

95,000

75,000

18.8

18.8

18.8

18.8

wld. tube

47,000

26,000

11.4

fittings

60,000

35,000

17.1

304

plate

75,000

30,000

SA240

304H

plate

75,000

18Cr-8Ni

SA240

304L

plate

16Cr-12Ni-2Mo

SA240

316

16Cr-12Ni-2Mo

SA240

316L

SA283

SA285

18Cr-8Ni

Nominal
Composition

SPEC
NO.

TYPE/
GRADE PRODUCT FORM

C-Mn-Si

SA36

C-Mn

SA53

S/B

C-Si

SA106

C
1Cr-1/5 Mo

SA179
SA193

16Cr-12Ni-2Mo

SA193

SA214

C-Si

SA234

WPB

18Cr-8Ni

SA240

18Cr-8Ni

250

cont'd ==>

700

750

800

850

900

950

17.1

15.6

13.0

10.8

8.7

5.9

17.1

15.6

13.0

10.8

8.7

5.9

13.3

12.8

12.4

10.7

9.2

7.9

6.5

25.0

25.0

25.0

25.0

23.6

21.0

17.0

12.5

8.5

4.5

18.8

18.8

18.8

18.8

18.8

18.8

18.8

18.8 18.8

18.8
2.1

4.0

1000 1050 1100 1150 1200 1250 1300 1350 1400 1450 1500

2.5

11.4

11.4

11.4

11.4

11.3

10.9

10.5

9.1

7.8

6.7

5.5

3.8

17.1

17.1

17.1

17.1

17.1

17.1

15.6

13.0

10.8

8.7

5.9

4.0

2.5

20.0

20.0

18.9

18.3

17.5

16.6

16.2

15.8

15.5

15.2

14.9

14.6 14.3

14.0

12.4

9.8

7.7

6.1

4.7

3.7

2.9

2.3

1.8

1.4

30,000

20.0

20.0

18.9

18.3

17.5

16.6

16.2

15.8

15.5

15.2

14.9

14.6 14.3

14.0

12.4

9.8

7.7

6.1

4.7

3.7

2.9

2.3

1.8

1.4

70,000

25,000

16.7

16.7

16.7

15.8

14.7

14.0

13.7

13.5

13.3

13.0

plate

75,000

30,000

20.0

20.0

20.0

19.3

18.0

17.0

16.6

16.3

16.1

15.9

15.7

15.6 15.4

15.3

15.1

12.4

9.8

7.4

5.5

4.1

3.1

2.3

1.7

1.3

plate

70,000

25,000

16.7

16.7

16.7

15.7

14.8

14.0

13.7

13.5

13.2

12.9

12.7

plate

55,000

30,000

15.7

15.7

15.7 15.7 15.7

15.7

15.7

15.3

14.8

plate

55,000

30,000

15.7

15.7

15.7 15.7 15.7

15.7

15.7

15.3

14.8

14.3

13.0

10.8

8.7

SA312

TP304L

smls. pipe

70,000

25,000

16.7

14.3

12.8

11.7

10.9

10.4

10.2

10.0

9.8

9.7

16Cr-12Ni-2Mo
1Cr-1/5 Mo

SA312

TP316L

smls. pipe

70,000

25,000

16.7

14.2

12.7

11.7

10.9

10.4

10.2

10.0

9.8

9.6

9.4

SA320

L7

bolting

125,000

105,000

25.0

25.0

25.0

25.0

25.0

25.0

25.0

25.0

25.0

C-Mn-Si
11/4 Cr-1/2 Mo-Si

SA333

smls. pipe

60,000

35,000

17.1

17.1

17.1

17.1

17.1

17.1

17.1

17.1

15.6

13.0

10.8

8.7

5.9

4.0

2.5

SA335

P11

smls. pipe

60,000

30,000

17.1

17.1

17.1

16.8

16.2

15.7

15.4

15.1

14.8

14.4

14

13.6

9.3

6.3

4.2

2.8

1.9

1.2

1Cr-1/2 Mo

SA387

Gr12 Cl2 plate

65,000

40,000

18.6

18.6

18.2

17.9

17.9

17.9

17.9

17.9

17.9

17.9

17.9

17.9

17.4

11.3

7.2

4.5

2.8

1.8

1.1

C-Si

SA515

70

plate

70,000

38,000

20.0

20.0

20.0

20.0

20.0

20.0

19.4

18.8

18.1

14.8

12.0

9.3

6.7

4.0

2.5

C-Si

SA516

55

plate

55,000

30,000

15.7

15.7

15.7 15.7 15.7

15.7

15.7

15.3

14.8

14.3

13.0

10.8

8.7

5.9

4.0

2.5

C-Mn-Si

SA516

60

plate

60,000

32,000

17.1

17.1

17.1

17.1

17.1

17.1

16.4

15.8

15.3

13.0

10.8

8.7

5.9

4.0

2.5

C-Mn-Si

SA516

65

plate

65,000

35,000

18.6

18.6

18.6

18.6

18.6

18.6

17.9

17.3

16.7

13.9

11.4

8.7

5.9

4.0

2.5

C-Mn-Si

SA516

70

plate

70,000

38,000

20.0

20.0

20.0

20.0

20.0

20.0

19.4

18.8

18.1

14.8

12.0

9.3

6.7

4.0

2.5

plate

40,000

18,000

17.1

Aluminum
Al

SB309

5083

Hastelloy B2
65Ni-28Mo-2Fe

SB333

N10665

plate

110,000

51,000

65Ni-28Mo-2Fe

SB619

N10665

wld. pipe

110,000

51,000

65Ni-28Mo-2Fe

SB622

N10665

smls pipe

110,000

51,000

Zirconium
95.2Zr+Cb

SB550

R60705

bar

80,000

55,000

95.2Zr+Cb

SB551

R60702

plate

55,000

30,000

95.2Zr+Cb

SB551

R60705

plate

80,000

55,000

95.2Zr+Cb

SB658

R60702

wld. & smls. pipe

55,000

30,000

95.2Zr+Cb

SB658

R60705

wld. & smls. pipe

80,000

55,000

Page 6

5.9

Ext. Pres. on Shells

Thickness of cylindrical shells under external pressure. ASME Sect. VIII, paragraph UG-28.
This work sheet calculates the allowable external pressure for a cylindrical vessel having a known outside
diameter, wall thickness, and length between lines of support. It is assumed that external stiffeners are
adequately designed.
Gather the following information and reference materials prior to using the worksheet.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Material designation for the vessel

Design temperature
Outside diameter
Vessel shell thickness
Section ll, Part D of the ASME Code opened to Subpart 3 (page 621)

Step 1. Enter known values.

Outside diameter, Do =
Shell thickness,

168.625 inches

t =

0.3125 inches

Section length between

lines of support,
L=

39 inches

Note: For definition of a line of support, see

ASME Section VIII, paragraph UG-28(b).

Do / t =

Step 2. Calculate ratios.

540

L / Do =

0.231

Step 3. Determine factor A

a. Go to ASME Section II, Part D, Subpart 3, Figure G (page 622 & 623).
b. Enter Figure G at the value of L / Do in Step 2 above. If L / Do is greater than 50, enter the chart
at L / Do = 50. If L / Do is less than 0.05, enter the chart at L / Do = 0.05.
c. Move horizontally to the line for the value of Do / t calculated above. From this point of intersection,
move vertically downward to determine the value of factor A.
d. Enter the value for factor A at cell B29 below. (scroll down)
Value of factor A =

0.0005

Step 4. Determine factor B

a. Using the value of A from step 3, enter the applicable material chart in Section II, Part D, Subpart 3
for the material being considered. The material charts start on page 624.
b. Move vertically upward to an intersection with the material/temperature line for the design
temperature. If A falls to left of the material/temperature line, skip this step and scroll down to step 6.
If A falls past the right end of a material/temperature line, use the horizontal projection of the end of
the line as the point of intersection.
c. From the point of intersection in step b, move horizontally to the right and read the value for B.
Enter this value in cell B41 below. (scroll down)
Value of factor B =

6100

Step 5. Maximum allowable external pressure using factor B.

Pa = (4B) / 3(Do/t) =

15.07 psi

Step 6. Select modulus of elasticity, E. No factor B.

If factor A falls to the left of the material/temperature line, Pa is calculated using the modulus of elasticity, E, at
the design temperature. Select the modulus of elasticity and enter its value in cell B52 below.
E=

2.70E+07

Step 7. Maximum allowable external pressure using modulus of elasticity.

Pa = (2AE) / 3(Do / t) =

16.68 psi

Page 7

Stiffening Ring

This worksheet calculates the required moment of inertia for a stiffening ring attached to a cylindrical shell
under external pressure. The calculated moment of inertia can be compared to the moment of inertia of a
corroded or damaged stiffening.The calculation is performed in accordance to ASME Sect. VIII, paragraph
UG-29.
Information and reference material needed to perform this calculation include:
* ASME Section II, Part D, Subpart 3
* modulus of elasticity, E, for stiffening ring material at design temperature
* outside diameter of shell
* shell thickness
* distance between lines of support (see ASME Sect. VIII, paragraph UG-28(b))
* cross sectional area of existing stiffening ring

Step 1. Enter known values.

Shell O.D.
Do =
Shell thickness
t=
External pressure
P=
Modulus of elasticity for
material
E=

169 inches
0.3125 inches
15 psi

2.45E+07 psi

Cross sectional area of

stiffener,
As =
Ls=

2.39 in2
40 inches

L s is defined as one half the distance from the stiffener

center line to the next line of support above plus one
half the distance from the stiffener center line to the
next line of support below. (ASME VIII, UG-29)

Step 2. Factor B calculated

B=

5107

Step 3. Determine factor A

a. Open ASME Section II, Part D, Subpart 3 to the applicable chart for the stiffener material under
consideration. The charts begin on page 624.
b. Enter the right hand side of the applicable chart at the value of B determined in step 2 above.
c. Move left horizontally to the material/temperature line for the design metal temperature. For values
of B falling below the left end of the chart, go to step 5.
d. At the point of intersection, move down vertically for the value of A. Enter that value in cell B38
below.
Factor A =

0.0004

Step 4. Determine the required moment of inertia.

Is=

12.15 in4

Step 5. Calculated value of factor A for factor B below chart.

A=

0.00042

Page 8

Stiffening Ring

Step 6. Required moment of inertia using A from step 5.

Is=

12.67 in4

Page 9

Stiffening Ring

ndrical shell
f inertia of a
I, paragraph

he stiffener
plus one
e to the
29)

Page 10

Stiffening Ring

Page 11