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Joint Efficiency Determination per UW-11(a)(5)(b)

REF: ASME Section VIII -1 2007 Edition/2008 Addenda
Paragraphs UW-3, UW-11, UW-12, UW-51 and UW-52

The sample vessel below will illustrate how to apply paragraph UW-11(a)(5)(b) in order to calculate the joint efficiency for
Category A or D butt welds in section(s) of a vessel:
With seamless sections according to UW-12(d)and UW-12(e)
With welded sections according to UW-11(a)

Beginning with UW-12(d) which states the following:

UW-12(d): Seamless vessel sections or heads shall be considered

equivalent to welded parts of the same geometry in which all category A
welds are Type No 1. For calculations involving circumferential stress in
seamless vessel sections or for thickness of seamless heads, E = 1.0
when the spot radiography requirements or UW-11(a)(5)(b) are met. E
= 0.85 when the spot radiography requirements of UW-11(a)(5)(b) are
not met, or when the category A or B welds connecting the seamless
vessel sections of heads are Type no 3, 4, 5 or 6 of Table UW-12.

Paragraph UW-11(a)(5)(b) can not be understood without including paragraphs UW-11(a) and UW-11(a)(5).

NOTE: Paragraphs UW-11(a)(1) through (3) discuss special service conditions. So if your design includes a special service
requirement, become familiar with these paragraphs.

To quote UW-11(a) -- Full Radiography

........The following welded joints shall be examined radiographically for
their full length...........

then moving on to UW-11(a)(5):

All Category A and D butt welds in vessel sections and heads where the
design of the joint or part is based on a joint efficiency permitted by
UW-12(a), in which case:

.........and UW-11(a)(5)(a):
Category A and B welds connecting the vessel sections or heads shall be
of Type No. (1) or Type No. (2) of Table UW-12;

and then...UW-11(a)(5)(b):
Category B or C butt welds [but not including those in nozzles or
communicating chambers except as required in (2) above] which
intersect the Category A butt welds in vessel sections or heads or
connect seamless vessel sections or heads shall, as a minimum meet
the required for spot radiography in accordance with UW-52. Spot
radiographs required by this paragraph shall not be used to satisfy the
spot radiography rules as applies to any other weld increment.

Definitely a mouthful, start simplifying UW-11(a)(5) with the following words and combine it with UW-11(a).

All butt welds in heads or shells shall be Type 1 or Type 2 and shall
have full radiography performed in the manner prescribed in UW-51.
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remember paragraph UW-11(a)(5)(b) which states the following:

Spot radiographs required by this paragraph shall not be used to satisfy
the spot radiography rules as applies to any other weld increment.

This means that the radiography used to satisfy paragraph UW-11(a)(5)(b) cannot be used to satisfy other weld increments
that have spot radiography rules applied to them. For example. If the vessel is stamped RT-3, then all weld increments for the
entire vessel shall have spot radiography rules applied. See UW-52(b)(1) for the definition of a weld increment. Just remember
that Spot RT weld increments performed to UW-11(a)(5)(b) MUST be separate shots

Note: The definition of a weld increment is not specific to any category of weld. A weld increment needs only to have a joint
efficiency assigned per Table UW-12 and shall not exceed 50 ft in length and includes welders/operators as applicable.. and
so....to continue on.

Paragraph UW-11(a)(5)(b) then states....(Ignoring the possibility of Category B and C Butt welds in nozzles or communicating
chambers for now)..... the following:
Category B or C butt welds which intersect the Category A butt welds in
vessel sections or heads or connect seamless vessel sections or heads
shall, as a minimum meet the required for spot radiography in
accordance with UW-52.

Combining the the above simplified statements into 3 simple requirements:

To meet UW-11(a)(5)(b) requirements for the butt weld in question:
(1) Fully radiograph the butt weld or choose seamless materials
(2) if welded, the butt weld must be Type 1 or Type 2
(3) Spot or fully radiograph the intersecting circumferential weld (Category B or C)

Please take note:

The reason UW-11 (a)(5)(b) is applied to welded sections/courses of a vessel is because of paragraphs UW-11(a)(5).
Paragraph UW-11(a)(5) states that "....all Category A or D butt welds in vessel sections or heads where the design of the joint
is based on a joint efficiency permitted by UW-12(a) in which case: ...."

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