Pipe Thickness Calculation as per ASME B31.

Input Values
1. Pipe Material of Construction = ASTM A106 Grade B
2. Design Pressure (Mpa) = 1.2
3. Design Temperature (Deg. F) = 122
4. Pipe Outside Diameter (MM) =
5. Allowable Stress From Table A-1 (Ksi) = 20
6. Allowable Stress (Mpa)= 137.8
7. E : quality factor from Table A-1A or A-1B = 1
8. Y : coefficient from Table 304.1.1 = 0.4
9. W : weld joint strength reduction factor per para. 302.3.5(e) = 1

Calculated Results

Design Thickness Calculated = 0.26

Thickness With Allowances = 7.16

Suggested Standard Pipe Thickness = S160

Explanation of the Pipe Thickness Calculator

As we know, ASME B31.3 Provides formula and guidelines for calculation of pipe under
pressure. Though the formula is quite simple, finding correct values of individual factors
can be tricky sometimes. This process pipe thickness calculator uses following formula
for calculation of wall thickness.

304.1.2 (a) equation 3a :

1. Seamless Pipes : Design Thickness t = (PD)/2(SE+PY)

2. Welded Pipes : Design Thickness t = (PD)/2(SEW+PY)
Where :
P : Internal Design Guage Pressure

D : Outside diameter of pipe

In this calculator, outside diameter is taken from American Pipe Standards for the
selected nominal pipe diameter :

1. ASME B36.10 : Welded and Seamless Wrought Steel Pipe.

2. ASME B36.19 : Stainless Steel Pipes.
S : Allowable Stress value for material from Table A-1
These are allowable stress values for different materials at different temperatures.
Provided in Table A-1 of ASME B31.3. I have included commonly used pipe materials in
this calculator. If you want more ASTM materials to be included, please mention in
comments section below.

E : Longitudinal Weld Joint Quality factor

1. Applicable as per ASME B31.3 Table A-1A or A-1B .
2. 1 For Seamless Pipes.
3. 0.60 for Furnace Butt Welded Pipes.
4. 0.85 for Electric Resistance Welded Pipes.

W : Weld Joint Strength Reduction Factor

1. Applicable as per Para 302.3.5(e) of ASME B31.3
2. It is applicable only for Welded pipes.
3. W is Take as 1 for Seamless Pipes.
4. Value of W is taken as 1.0 at temperatures of 510°C (950°F) and below, and 0.5 at 815°C
(1500°F) for all materials.
5. Value is linearly interpolated for intermediate temperatures.
Y : Coefficient from Table 304.1.1,
Valid for t < D/6 and for materials shown. The value of Y may be interpolated for
intermediate temperatures.

Addition of Allowances
Calculated Design Wall Thickness should be added with Corrosion Allowance,
Mechanical Allowance for Grooving, Threading etc and Manufacturing Tolerance to
arrive at final value. Next higher standard thickness value from Pipe Standards such as
ASME B36.10 and ASME B36.19 is used.

Required Thickness = Design Thickness + Allowances.

Wall Thickness Selection

Designer should select a thickness from schedules of nominal thickness contained in
Table 1 specified in ASME B36.10 and B36.19, to suit the value computed to fulfill the
conditions for which the pipe is desired.

Please provide your comments / suggestions in comments box below.