APPENDIX XIV

DESIGN BASED ON FATIGUE

ANALYSIS FOR VESSELS DESIGNED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH NC-3200

XIV-1000 Design Based on Fatigue Analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

XIV-1100 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
XIV-1110 Scope. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
XIV-1200 Analysis for Cyclic Service of Vessels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
XIV-1210 General Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
XIV-1211 Suitability of Vessel for Cyclic Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
XIV-1212 Allowable Amplitude of Alternating Stresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
XIV-1213 Loadings to Be Considered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
XIV-1220 Cyclic Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
XIV-1221 Design for Cyclic Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
XIV-1221.1 Determination of Vessel’s Ability to Withstand Cyclic Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
XIV-1221.2 Significance of Compliance With Requirements for Cyclic Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
XIV-1221.3 Cyclic Loading Design Procedure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
XIV-1222 Local Structural Discontinuities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
XIV-1223 Fillet Welds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
XIV-1300 Analysis for Cyclic Service of Bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
XIV-1310 General Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
XIV-1311 Suitability of Bolts for Cyclic Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
XIV-1320 Evaluation of Bolts Dependent on Their Material Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
XIV-1321 Bolts With Tensile Strengths Less Than 100 ksi (689 MPa) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
XIV-1322 High Strength Bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
XIV-1323 Acceptability for Cyclic Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
XIV-1324 Fatigue Strength Reduction Factor for Threads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
XIV-1400 Analysis for Thermal Stress Ratchet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
XIV-1410 Thermal Stress Ratchet in Shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
XIV-1420 Progressive Distortion of Nonintegral Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

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 ARTICLE XIV-1000
DESIGN BASED ON FATIGUE ANALYSIS
XIV-1100 INTRODUCTION
XIV-1110 SCOPE
This Appendix is applicable only to the fatigue
analysis of Class 2 vessels meeting the requirements
of NC-3200.
XIV-1200 ANALYSIS FOR CYCLIC
SERVICE OF VESSELS
XIV-1210 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
XIV-1211 Suitability of Vessel for Cyclic Service
The suitability of a vessel component for specified
Service Conditions involving cyclic application of loads
and thermal conditions shall be determined by the
methods described in this Appendix, except that the
suitability of high strength bolts shall be determined
by the methods of XIV-1300 and the possibility of
thermal stress ratchet shall be investigated in accordance
with XIV-1400. If the specified service of the vessel
meets all of the conditions of NC-3219, no analysis
for cyclic service is required and it may be assumed
that the limits on peak stress intensities as governed
by fatigue have been satisfied by compliance with the
applicable requirements for materials, design, fabrica-
tion, examination, and testing of Subsection NC. If the
service does not meet all the conditions of NC-3219,
a fatigue analysis shall be made in accordance with
XIV-1220 or a fatigue test shall be made in accordance
with II-1150.
XIV-1212 Allowable Amplitude of Alternating
Stresses
The conditions and procedures of NC-3219 and XIV-
1220 are based on a comparison of peak stresses with
strain cycling fatigue data. The strain cycling fatigue
data are represented by the design fatigue strength
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curves of Figs. I-9.1, I-9.2, and I-9.3.1 These curves
show the allowable amplitude Sa of the alternating
stress component (one-half of the alternating stress
range) plotted against the number of cycles. The stress
amplitude is calculated on the assumption of elastic
behavior and hence has the dimensions of stress, but
it does not represent a real stress when the elastic
range is exceeded. The fatigue curves are obtained
from uniaxial strain cycling data in which the imposed
strains have been multiplied by the elastic modulus
and a design margin has been provided, so as to make
the calculated stress intensity and amplitude and the
allowable stress amplitude directly comparable. The
curves have been adjusted, where necessary, to include
the maximum effects of mean stress, which is the
condition where the stress fluctuates about a mean
value which is different from zero. As a consequence
of this procedure, it is essential that the requirements
of XIII-1145 and XIII-1160 be satisfied at all times,
with transient stresses included and that the calculated
value of the alternating stress intensity be proportional
to the actual strain amplitude. To evaluate the effect
of alternating stresses of varying amplitudes, a linear
damage relation is assumed in XIV-1220.
XIV-1213 Loadings to Be Considered
The loadings to be considered shall include those
loads that are due to testing of the vessel when such
testing is in addition to that required by NC-6700.
1
The tests on which the design curves are based did not include
tests at temperatures in the creep range or in the presence of unusually
corrosive environments, either of which might accelerate fatigue
failure. Therefore, these curves are not applicable at service tempera-
tures for which creep is a significant factor. In addition, the designer
shall evaluate separately any effects on fatigue life which might
result from an unusually corrosive environment.
 XIV-1220 APPENDIX XIV
XIV-1220 CYCLIC LOADING
XIV-1221 Design for Cyclic Loading
XIV-1221.1 Determination of Vessel’s Ability to
Withstand Cyclic Loading. If the specific service of
the vessel does not meet the conditions of NC-3219,
the ability of the vessel to withstand the specified cyclic
service without fatigue failure shall be determined as
provided herein. The determination shall be made on
the basis of the stresses at a point of the vessel and
the allowable stress cycles shall be adequate for the
specified service at every point. Only the stresses due
to the specified service cycle need be considered;
stresses produced by any load or thermal condition
which does not vary during the cycle need not be
considered, since they are mean stresses and the maxi-
mum possible effect of mean stress is included in the
fatigue design curves.
XIV-1221.2 Significance of Compliance With Re-
quirements for Cyclic Loading. Compliance with these
requirements means only that the vessel is suitable
from the standpoint of possible fatigue failure; complete
suitability for the specified service is also dependent
on meeting the general stress limits of XIII-1140 and
any applicable special stress limits of XIV-1410.
XIV-1221.3 Cyclic Loading Design Procedure
(a) When Principal Stress Direction Does Not
Change. For any case in which the directions of the
principal stresses at the point being considered do not
change during the cycle, steps (1), (2), and (3) below
shall be followed to determine the alternating stress
intensity:
(1) Principal Stresses. Consider the values of the
three principal stresses at the point versus time for the
complete stress cycle, taking into account both the
gross and local structural discontinuities and the thermal
effects which vary during the cycle. These are designated
as ␴1, ␴2, and ␴3 for later identification.
(2) Stress Differences. Determine the stress differ-
ences S12 p ␴1 − ␴2, S23 p ␴2 − ␴3, and S31 p ␴3
− ␴1 versus time for the complete cycle. In what
follows, the symbol Sij is used to represent any one
of these three stress differences.
(3) Alternating Stress Intensity. Determine the ex-
tremes of the range through which each stress difference
Sij fluctuates, and find the absolute magnitude of this
range for each Sij. Call this magnitude Srij and let
Saltij p 0.5Srij. The alternating stress intensity Salt is
the largest of the Salt ij values.
(b) When Principal Stress Direction Changes. For
any case in which the directions of the principal stresses
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XIV-1221.3
at the point being considered change during the stress
cycle, it is necessary to use steps (1) through (5) below.
(1) Consider the values of the six stress compo-
nents ␴t, ␴l, ␴r , ␶lt, ␶lr , and ␶rt versus time for the
complete stress cycle, taking into account both the
gross and local structural discontinuities and the thermal
effects which vary during the cycle.
(2) Choose a point in time when the conditions
are one of the extremes for the cycle, either maximum
or minimum algebraically, and identify the stress compo-
nents at this time by the subscript i. In most cases it
will be possible to choose at least one time during the
cycle when the conditions are known to be extreme.
In some cases it may be necessary to try different
points in time to find the one which results in the
largest value of alternating stress intensity.
(3) Subtract each of the six stress components ␴ti,
␴li, etc., from the corresponding stress components
␴t, ␴l, etc., at each point in time during the cycle and
call the resulting components ␴′t, ␴′l, etc.
(4) At each point in time during the cycle, calculate
the principal stresses ␴′1, ␴′2, and ␴′3 derived from
the six stress components ␴′t, ␴′l, etc. Note that the
directions of the principal stresses may change during
the cycle but each principal stress retains its identity
as it rotates.
(5) Determine the stress differences S′12 p ␴′1 −
␴′2, S′23 p ␴′2 − ␴′3, and S′31 p ␴′3 − ␴′1 versus
time for the complete cycle and find the largest absolute
magnitude of any stress difference at any time. The
alternating stress intensity Salt is one-half of this mag-
nitude.
(c) Design Fatigue Curves. Figures I-9.1, I-9.2.1, I-
9.2.2, I-9.3, I-9.4, and I-9.5 contain the applicable
fatigue design curves for some of the materials permitted
by Subsection NC. When more than one curve is
presented for a given material, the applicability of each
curve to materials of various strength levels is identified.
Linear interpolation may be used for intermediate
strength levels of these materials. As used herein, the
strength level is the specified minimum room tempera-
ture value.
(d) Use of Design Fatigue Curve. Multiply Salt, as
determined in (a) or (b), by the ratio of the modulus
of elasticity given on the design fatigue curve to the
value used in the analysis. Enter the applicable design
fatigue curve at this value on the ordinate axis and
find the corresponding number of cycles on the abscissa.
If the operational cycle being considered is the only
one which produces significant fluctuating stresses, this
is the allowable number of cycles.
 XIV-1221.3 2001 SECTION III, DIVISION 1 — APPENDICES
(e) Cumulative Damage. If there are two or more
types of stress cycles which produce significant stresses,
their cumulative effect shall be evaluated as given in
(1) through (6) below.
(1) Designate the specified number of times each
type of stress cycle of types 1, 2, 3, . . . , n will be
repeated during the life of the vessel as n1, n2, n3,
... , II-1600, except for high strength alloy steel bolting for
nn, respectively. In determining n1, n2, n3, . . . , nn,
consideration shall be given to the superposition of
cycles of various origins which produce a total stress
difference range greater than the stress difference ranges
of the individual cycles. For example, if one type of
stress cycle produces 1000 cycles of a stress difference
variation from 0 to +60.0 ksi (414 000 kPa) and another
type of stress cycle produces 10,000 cycles of a stress
difference variation from 0 to −50.0 ksi (345 000 kPa),
the two types of cycle to be considered are defined
by the following parameters.
For type 1 cycle,
n1 p 1000
Salt 1 p (60,000 + 50,000) / 2 p 55,000 psi (379 000 kPa)
For type 2 cycle,
n2 p 9000
Salt 2 p (50,000 + 0) / 2 p 25,000 psi (172 000 kPa)
(2) For each type of stress cycle determine the
alternating stress intensity Salt by the procedures of (a)
or (b) above. Call these quantities Salt 1, Salt 2, Salt 3,
. . . , Salt n.
(3) For each value Salt 1, Salt 2, Salt 3, . . . , Salt n,
use the applicable design fatigue curve to determine
the maximum number of repetitions which would be
allowable if this type of cycle were the only one acting.
Call these values N1, N2, N3, . . . , Nn.
(4) For each type of stress cycle, calculate the
usage factors U1, U2, U3, . . . , Un from U1 p n1 /N1,
U2 p n2 /N2, U3 p n3 /N3, . . . , Un p nn /Nn.
(5) Calculate the cumulative usage factor U from
U p U1 + U2 + U3 + . . . + Un.
(6) The cumulative usage factor U shall not ex-
ceed 1.0.
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XIV-1321
XIV-1222 Local Structural Discontinuities
These effects shall be evaluated for all conditions
using stress concentration factors determined from theo-
retical, experimental, or photoelastic studies, or numeri-
cal stress analysis techniques. Experimentally deter-
mined fatigue strength reduction factors may be used
when determined in accordance with the procedures of
which the requirements of NB-3232.2(c) shall apply
when using the design fatigue curve of Fig. I-9.4.
Except for the case of crack-like defects, no fatigue
strength factor greater than five need be used.
XIV-1223 Fillet Welds
Fillet welds shall not be used in vessels for joints
of Categories A, B, C, or D (Fig. NC-3251-1) except
as permitted for joints of Category C for slip on flanges
(NC-3252.3 and NC-3262.2) and for the joints of
Category D as permitted in NC-3259. Fillet welds may
be used for attachment to pressure vessels using one-
half the stress limits of XIII-1142 through XIII-1145
for primary and secondary stresses. Evaluation for cyclic
loading shall be made in accordance with Appendix
XIV using a fatigue strength reduction factor of four and
shall include consideration of temperature differences
between the vessel and the attachment and expansion
or contraction of the vessel produced by internal or
external pressure.
XIV-1300 ANALYSIS FOR CYCLIC
SERVICE OF BOLTS
XIV-1310 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
XIV-1311 Suitability of Bolts for Cyclic Service
Unless the vessel on which they are installed meets
all the conditions of NC-3219 and thus requires no
fatigue analysis, the suitability of bolts for cyclic service
shall be determined in accordance with the procedures
of XIV-1320.
XIV-1320 EVALUATION OF BOLTS
DEPENDENT ON THEIR
MATERIAL PROPERTIES
XIV-1321 Bolts With Tensile Strengths Less
Than 100 ksi (689 MPa)
Bolts made of materials which have minimum speci-
fied tensile strengths of less than 100.0 ksi (689 MPa)
 XIV-1321 APPENDIX XIV
shall be evaluated for cyclic operation by the methods
of XIV-1220, using the applicable design fatigue curve,
Fig. I-9.1 or Fig. I-9.2 and an appropriate stress concen-
tration factor (XIV-1324).
XIV-1322 High Strength Bolts
High strength alloy steel bolts and studs may be
evaluated for cyclic operation by the methods of XIV-
1220, using the design fatigue curve of Fig. I-9.4,
provided the requirements of (a) through (e) below
are met.
(a) The material is one of the following: SA-193
Grade B-7 or B-16; SA-320 Grade L-43; SA-540 Grades
B-23 and B-24, heat treated in accordance with SA-
540, Section 5.
(b) The maximum value of the service stress at the
periphery of the bolt cross section resulting from direct
tension plus bending and neglecting stress concentra-
tions shall not exceed 2.7Sm, if the higher of the two
fatigue design curves given in Fig. I-9.4 is used. The
2.0Sm limit for direct tension is unchanged.
(c) Threads shall be of a Vee type, having a minimum
thread root radius no smaller than 0.003 in. (0.076 mm).
(d) Fillet radii at the end of the shank shall be such
that the ratio of fillet radius to shank diameter is not
less than 0.060.
(e) The fatigue strength reduction factor used in the
fatigue evaluation shall not be less than 4.0.
XIV-1323 Acceptability for Cyclic Service
The bolts shall be acceptable for the specific cyclic
application of loads and thermal stresses provided the
cumulative usage factor U, as determined in XIV-
1221.3(e), does not exceed 1.0.
XIV-1324 Fatigue Strength Reduction Factor for
Threads
Unless it can be shown by analysis or test that a
lower value is appropriate, the fatigue strength reduction
factor used in the fatigue evaluation of threaded mem-
bers shall not be less than 4.0.
XIV-1400 ANALYSIS FOR THERMAL
STRESS RATCHET
XIV-1410 THERMAL STRESS RATCHET IN
SHELL
Under certain combinations of steady state and cyclic
loadings there is a possibility of large distortions devel-
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XIV-1420
oping as the result of ratchet action, that is, the deforma-
tion increases by a nearly equal amount for each cycle.
Examples of this phenomenon are treated in XIV-1410
and in XIV-1420.
(a) The limiting value of the maximum cyclic thermal
stress permitted in a shell loaded by steady state internal
pressure in order to prevent cyclic growth in diameter
is as follows. Let
y′p maximum allowable thermal stress, computed
on an elastic basis, divided by the yield
strength2 Sy
xp maximum general membrane stress due to pres-
sure divided by the yield strength2 Sy
Case 1: Linear variation of temperature through the
shell wall
y ′ p 1 / x for 0 < x < 0.5
y ′ p 4(1 − x) for 0.5 < x < 1.0
Case 2: Parabolic constantly increasing or constantly
decreasing variation of temperature through
the shell wall
y ′ p 5.2(1 − x) for 0.615 < x < 1.0
and approximately, for x <0.615, y′ p 4.65,
3.55, and 2.70 for x p 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5,
respectively.
(b) Use of the yield strength Sy in the above relations
instead of the proportional limit allows a small amount
of growth during each cycle until strain hardening
raises the proportional limit to Sy. If the yield strength
of the material is higher than the endurance limit3 for
the material, the latter value shall be used, if there are
to be a large number of cycles, because strain softening
may occur.
XIV-1420 PROGRESSIVE DISTORTION OF
NONINTEGRAL CONNECTIONS
Screwed on caps, screwed in plugs, shear ring clo-
sures, and breech lock closures are examples of noninte-
gral connections which are subject to failure by bell
mouthing or other types of progressive deformation. If
any combination of applied loads produces yielding,
such joints are subject to ratcheting because the mating
members may become loose at the end of each complete
2
It is permissible to use 1.5Sm whenever it is greater than Sy.
3
The endurance limit shall be taken as two times the Sa value at
106 cycles in the applicable fatigue curve of Fig. I-9.1 or Fig. I-9.2.
 XIV-1420 2001 SECTION III, DIVISION 1 — APPENDICES XIV-1420

operating cycle and start the next cycle in a new

relationship with each other, with or without manual
manipulation. Additional distortion may occur in each
cycle so that interlocking parts, such as threads, can
eventually lose engagement. Therefore, primary plus
secondary stress intensities (XIII-1145) which result in
slippage between the parts of a nonintegral connection
in which disengagement could occur as a result of
progressive distortion shall be limited to the allowable
stress limits given in XIII-1142 and XIII-1143.

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