Steel Pipe Design Calculation For Seamless

Pipe Wall Thickness Calculation for Straight Pipe
under Internal Pressure

Pipe wall thickness calculation as per ASME B31.3
Enter data as indicated in the form below and click on Submit Button to calculate
pipe wall thickness for internal pressure. The theory behind the calculations is
provided below.
The minimum pipe wall thickness including mill tolerance for pipe sizes from 1/2" to
24" will be listed below the Submit Button.
Design Pressure (psi)
Allowable Stress (psi)
Corrosion + Mechanical Allowance (mm)
Weld Joint Quality Factor
Enter 1 for seamless, 0.95 for EFW and 0.85 for ERW pipes
Submit
Pipe Wall Thickness for Internal Pressure

As per section 304.1.2 of ASME B31.3, for a straight pipe under internal pressure,
the design thickness shall be calculated as per the following equation:
t = PD2(SEW+PY)PD2(SEW+PY)
The minimum thickness of pipe, T shall not be less than tm
where tm = t + c
c = sum of mechanical allowances (thread or groove depth) plus corrosion and
erosion allowances
D = Outside diameter of pipe
P = Internal design pressure (gauge)
S = Allowable stress of material from Table A-1 of ASME B31.3
t = Pressure design thickness calculated as per above formula
W = Weld joint strength reduction factor in accordance with para 302.3.5(e)
E = Quality factor from Table A-1A or Table A-1B of ASME B31.3
Y = coefficient from Table 304.1.1, valid for t < D/6
Example of Wall Thickness Calculation as per ASME B31.3

Problem: Find the wall thickness of 8" (DN 200) ASTM A106 Gr. B pipe at design
pressure of 800 psig at design temperature of 650°F considering a corrosion
allowance of 1.6mm.
Solution
P = Internal design pressure = 800 psig
D = Outside diameter of pipe = 8.625" (219.1 mm)
S = Allowable stress of ASTM A106 Gr. B pipe = 17 ksi = 17,000 psi
E = Quality factor from Table A-1B = 1 for seamless pipe
W = Weld joint strength reduction factor = 1
Y = Coefficient from Table 304.1.1 = 0.4
Allowable stress from Table A-1

The allowable stress should be selected from Table A-1 corresponding to the
applicable material and design temperature. As per figure below, the allowable
stress for ASTM A106 Gr.B is 17,000 psi at 650°F.
Allowable Stress for ASTM A106 Gr B
Basic Quality Factor from Table A-1B

Table A-1B provides basic quality factors for longitudinal weld joints in pipes, tubes
and fittings The quality factor should be selected from Table A-1B for the applicable
material. As per figure below, the quality factor for ASTM A106 seamless pipe is 1.
Note that the basic quality factor is lower (0.85) for electric resistance welded pipe.
Basic Quality Factor for Pipes

Weld Joint Strength Reduction Factor
As per para 302.3.5(e) of ASME B31.3, the weld joint strength reduction factor is the
ratio of the nominal stress to cause failure of the weld joint to that of the base
material for the same duration. In the absence of more applicable data (e.g., creep
testing), the factor shall be taken as 1.0 at temperatures of 510°C (950°F) and
below, and 0.5 at 815°C (1500°F) for all materials.
Hence for temperature of 650°F, W = 1.
Coefficient Y
The value of coefficient Y from Table 304.1.1 of ASME B31.3 is valid for t < D/6. For
carbon steel Y = 0.4 for temperature up to 900°F.
Calculation
t = PD2(SEW+PY)PD2(SEW+PY)
Substitue the values in above equation gives
t = 800∗219.12(17000∗1∗1+800∗0.4)800∗219.12(17000∗1∗1+800∗0.4)
t = 5.06 mm
tm = 5.06 + 1.6 = 6.66 mm
Selection of commercially available pipe
Mill Tolerance of ASTM A106 pipe

After the minimum required thickness is calculated, the next step is to select the next
higher wall thickness from commercially available pipe. For example from ASME
B36.10, the next commercially available pipe wall thickness is Sch 30 (7.04 mm).
To this wall thickness, a negative (or under) mill tolerance of 12.5% (in this case)
should be applied. Please note that if you are using API 5L grade pipes, the mill
tolerances specified therein should be applied. After applying the mill tolerance, the
available wall thickness is 7.04 mm x 0.875 (100%-12.5%) = 6.16 mm which is less
than tm = 6.6 mm. Hence selection of Sch 30 pipe is not acceptable. The next
commercially available (preferred) thickness is Sch 40 (8.18 mm). After applying
negative mill tolerance, the available wall thickness is 8.18 x 0.875 = 7.15 mm which
is greater than tm = 6.6 mm.
Hence the required wall thickness is Sch 40 (8.18 mm)
Select Pipe Wall Thickness from ASME B36.10

Last Updated: 27 February 2020

Steel Pipe Design Calculation For Seamless

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Pipe Wall Thickness Calculation for Straight Pipe

under Internal Pressure

Pipe Wall Thickness for Internal Pressure

Example of Wall Thickness Calculation as per ASME B31.3

Allowable stress from Table A-1

Allowable Stress for ASTM A106 Gr B

Basic Quality Factor from Table A-1B

Basic Quality Factor for Pipes

Selection of commercially available pipe

Mill Tolerance of ASTM A106 pipe

Select Pipe Wall Thickness from ASME B36.10

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