284 Annexure A: Material Specification Summary
Pipes
1. API Spec 5L, Grades A, B, and X42
2. ASTM A 53M/A 53, Grades A and B
3. ASTM A 106 M/A 106, Grades A and B; ASTM A 234M/A 234, Grade WPB
4. ASTM A 333M/A 333, Grades 1 and 6
5. ASTM A 334M/A 334, Grades 1 and 6
6. ASTM A 524, Grades I and II
7. ASTM A 671 (see Clause 4.5.3)
Pipe Fittings
1. ASTM A234M/A234, Grade WPB
2. ASTM A 420M/A 420, Grade WPL6
Forgings
1. ASTM A 105M/A 105
2. ASTM A 181M/A 181
3. ASTM A 350M/A 350, LF1 and LF2
Bolting
1. Flange bolting shall be of ASTM A 193 B7, with dimensions as per ASME B18.2.1.
2. Nuts shall be of ASTM A 194 Grade 2H with dimensions as per ASME B18.2.2.
3. Bolts and nuts shall have a heavy hexagonal pattern.
4. Bolts and nuts shall be threaded as per ASME B1.13M or B 1.1.
5. Other bolting (except flange) shall be of ASTM A 307 or A 193M/A 193.
6. A 325M/A 325 is permitted for structural purposes only.
Electrodes
1. For welding of materials with a minimum tensile strength less than 550 MPa (80 ksi), the
MMAW electrodes shall be of E60 and E70 classification series (AWS 5.1).
2. For welding of materials with a minimum tensile strength of 550 MPa–585 MPa (80
ksi–85 ksi), MMAW electrodes shall be of E80XX-CX classification series (AWS A5.5).
Gaskets
1. Sheet gaskets shall be continuous.
2. Welded metal gaskets are acceptable subject to conditions.
3. Rope or tape gaskets shall have overlapped ends.
4. Gaskets shall have an integral centering or positioning device.
5. Joint sealing compounds of any sort not allowable except as approved.
6. Material shall be chemically compatible with the fluid stored and the flange.
© 2015 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
K22265_Book.indb 284 4/20/15 5:49 PM
Annexure B: Recommended Joint Design
Guide to Sketches and Tables of API 650
API 650 recommends acceptable typical designs for various types of joints
envisaged in tank construction. The user may require slightly different ver-
sions of joints suitable for the site conditions, but generally joints shall be in
line with the requirements spelled out for typical joints with full compliance
to the logic and philosophy behind the recommended design. The following
table serves as a guide to figures and tables for each type of weld joint envis-
aged in the storage tank.
Sl. Figure or Table
No. Description Reference (API 650) Remarks
1 Annular, Sketch, and Bottom Plate Weld Joints Figure 5.3(a)
2 Annular Plate Thickness Based on Diameter of Tank Table 5.1(a)
3 Typical Weld Joints for Vertical Seams in Shell Figure 5.1
4 Shell Plate Thickness Based on Diameter of Tank Table in Clause 5.6.1.1
5 Typical Weld Joints in Horizontal Seams in Shell Figure 5.2
6 Typical Roof Plate and Roof to Curb Angle Joints Figure 5.3(a)
7 Minimum Sizes of Top Angles Table in Clause 5.1.5.9
8 Typical Joints (Shell to Annular Plate) Figure 5.3(a)
9 Typical Weld Joint of Shell to Annular Plate Figure 5.3(c)
(AP ≥ 13 mm)
10 Fillet Weld Sizes Based on Bottom Shell Course Table in Clause 5.1.5.7
Thickness
11 Typical Lap Preparation under Shell Figure 5.3(b)
12 (8)Minimum Weld Requirements for Opening Figure 5.6 For further
in Shells details see
Clause 5.7.3
13 Shell Manholes Figure 5.7(a)
14 Dimensions for Shell Manhole Neck Thickness Table 5.4(a)
15 Dimensions for Bolt Circle Diameter and Cover Table 5.5(a)
Plate Diameters for Shell Manholes
16 Manhole or Nozzle Cross Section Figure 5.7(a)
17 Nozzle Cross Section Figure 5.7(a)
18 Insert Type Reinforcement for Manholes and Figure 5.7(b)
Nozzles
19 Reinforcing Plate Figure 5.8
20 Regular Type Flanged Nozzles, NPS 80 NB (3”) Figure 5.8
or Larger
(Continued)
285
© 2015 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
K22265_Book.indb 285 4/20/15 5:49 PM
286 Annexure b: Recommended Joint Design Guide to Sketches
Sl. Figure or Table
No. Description Reference (API 650) Remarks
21 Low Type Flanged Nozzles, NPS 80 NB (3”) or Figure 5.8
Larger
22 Couplings and Flanged Fittings, NPS 20NB (3/4”) Figure 5.8
through NPS 50 NB (2”)
23 Shell Nozzle Flanges Figure 5.10
24 Dimensions of Shell Nozzles Table 5.6(a)
25 Dimensions of Shell Nozzles, Pipes, and Welding Table 5.7(a)
Schedules
26 Dimensions of Shell Nozzle Flanges Table 5.8(a)
27 Flush Type Clean-out Fittings Figure 5.12
28 Flush Type Clean-out Fitting Supports Figure 5.13 Methods A
to D
29 Dimensions of Flush Type Clean-out Fittings Table 5.9(a)
30 Minimum Thickness of Cover Plates, Bolting Table 5.10(a)
Flange, and Bottom Reinforcing Plate for Flush
Type Clean-out Fittings
31 Thicknesses and Heights of Shell Reinforcing Table 5.11(a)
Plates for Flush Type Clean-out Fittings
32 Flush Type Shell Connection Figure 5.14
33 Dimensions of Flush Type Shell Connection Table 5.12(a)
34 Roof Manhole with Reinforcement Plate Figure 5.16
35 Base or Roof Manhole without Reinforcement Figure 5.16
Plate
36 Dimensions of Roof Manholes Table 5.13(a)
37 Rectangular Roof Opening with Flanged Covers Figure 5.17
38 Rectangular Roof Opening with Hinged Covers Figure 5.18
39 Flanged Roof Nozzles Figure 5.19
40 Dimensions of Flanged Roof Nozzles Table 5.14(a)
41 Threaded Roof Nozzles Figure 5.20
42 Dimensions of Threaded Roof Nozzles Table 5.15(a)
43 Draw Off Sump Figure 5.21
44 Dimensions of Draw Off Sump Table 5.16(a)
45 Requirements for Platforms and Walkways Table 5.17
46 Requirements for Stairways Table 5.18
47 Rise, Run, and Angle Relationship for Stairways Table 5.19
48 Scaffold Cable Support Figure 5.22
49 Grounding Lug Figure 5.23
50 Typical Stiffening Ring Sections for Tank Shells Figure 5.24
51 Stairway Opening through Stiffening Ring Figure 5.25
52 Some Acceptable Column Base Details Figure 5.26
© 2015 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
K22265_Book.indb 286 4/20/15 5:49 PM
Annexure C: Welding Procedure and
Welder Qualification Requirements
Clause 9.2 of API 650 specifies various requirements for welding procedure
qualification. Quite often, more stringent requirements would be imposed
by clients and consultants based on end users’ requirements, especially
related to service and constructional features. The restrictions often put
forward by clients from the oil and gas industry, especially when dealing
with sour hydrocarbon liquid, are provided against relevant clauses of API
650 in the following table.
API 650
Clause Client Requirements
Welding Procedure Qualification
9.2.1.1 Welding procedures and qualifications shall be in accordance with Section IX.
The welding procedure specifications (WPS) for welding pressure retaining and
other structural welding shall be as per Section IX.
9.2.1.3 All shell vertical joints shall be welded by shielded metal arc welding (SMAW)
with uphill progression or, when specifically approved, automatic electro-gas
welding (EGW).
Horizontal shell joints shall be welded utilizing either SMAW or automatic
submerged arc welding (SAW).
The procedure qualification test for SAW of shell horizontal seams shall be executed
in a test frame on plates with a minimum length of 3 m under restrained conditions.
The procedure qualification for shell vertical seams shall be performed vertically
(3G) and shall be subject to impact testing of the weld metal of SMAW welds and
weld metal and heat affected zone of EGW welds.
Qualifications for EGW shall be run on specimens of the full tier height for both the
maximum and minimum shell thicknesses. Impact testing of other procedures for
thicknesses 38 mm and under shall not be required irrespective of any
requirement for impact testing of the plate.
9.2.1.4 Procedure qualification for shell to bottom joints shall be performed on actual joint
configuration, material grades, and thicknesses to be used. This procedure
qualification test shall demonstrate that the hardness of the heat affected zone at
the shell to bottom plate does not exceed 280 HV.
Hardness testing of procedure qualifications shall be mandatory for Group IV and
higher materials. Hardness testing of EGW procedures shall also be mandatory,
irrespective of the shell material group. Welds and heat affected zones shall be
surveyed. The maximum allowable hardness shall be 280 HV.
When it is proposed to use a “weldable” protective coating on edges prepared for
welding, technical data of coating shall be appended to applicable weld procedures.
(Continued)
287
© 2015 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
K22265_Book.indb 287 4/20/15 5:49 PM
288 Annexure C: Welding Procedure and Welder Qualification Requirements
API 650
Clause Client Requirements
Primers applied principally to protect plate surfaces shall not be considered
weldable and shall be locally removed by grinding or brushing prior to welding of
attachments, etc.
9.2.2.2 Low hydrogen electrodes shall be used for welding the shell to the bottom joint for
all steels with a specified minimum tensile strength in excess of 60,000 psi and for
the repair of surface defects.
Welder or Operator Qualification
9.3.1 All welders for tank erection shall be tested under surveillance of the client or
consultant, irrespective of any previous qualification performed.
9.3.2 Welder qualification shall be in accordance with ASME Section IX.
9.3.3 The test may be terminated at the welder’s option if the welder becomes aware that
he or she has introduced a defect and may be restarted after repreparation or
replacement of test specimen once, except for intended restarts for new electrodes
or repositioning. On completion of test weld, no repairs shall be allowed even if a
defect is revealed by cosmetic grinding or filing.
9.3.3(a) The test may be terminated by the client or consultant whenever it becomes
apparent that the welder lacks the required skill to produce satisfactory results or
if he or she fails to observe the requirements of the WPS.
9.3.3(b) In the event of a test failure, the client or consultant reserves the right to disallow
an immediate retest and to insist on a period of further training before any retest.
Qualification tests using SAW or EGW processes shall in addition to radiographic
examination be subject to either ultrasonic examination or bend testing.
Welders identification cards with photograph, process, base metal, and thickness
range qualified shall be issued to all qualified welders under the client or
consultant stamp.
© 2015 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
K22265_Book.indb 288 4/20/15 5:49 PM
Annexure D: Radiography
of Storage Tanks
As per Clause 8.1.5 of API 650, radiographs are to be judged according to Clause
UW-51(b) of ASME in Section VIII Div (1), “Code for Unfired Pressure Vessels.”
Technical Requirements from UW-51 Radiographic
Examination of Welded Joints
Indications shown on radiographs of welds and characterized as imperfec-
tions are unacceptable under the following conditions and shall be repaired as
provided in UW-38, and the repair radiographed to UW-51. (Table reproduced
from ASME Section VIII Div (1) with permission.)
1 Any indication characterized as a crack or zone of incomplete fusion or penetration
2 Any other elongated indication on the radiograph that has length greater than
3 6 mm (1/4”) for t up to 3⁄4” (19 mm)
4 1⁄3 t for t from 3⁄4” (19 mm) to 2¼” (57 mm)
5 19 mm (3⁄4”) for t over 2¼” (57 mm)
Where t = the thickness of the weld excluding any allowable reinforcement. For a butt weld joining
two members having different thicknesses at the weld, t is the thinner of these two thicknesses.
6 Any group of aligned indications that have an aggregate length greater than t in a length of 12 t
7 Except when the distance between the successive imperfections exceeds 6 L where L is
the length of the longest imperfection in the group
Rounded indications in excess of that specified by the acceptance standards given in
Appendix 4
Terminology as per Appendix 4 of ASME Section VIII Div (1)
(Table reproduced from ASME Section VIII Div (1) Appendix 4 with permission.)
Rounded Indications
Indications with a maximum length of 3× the width or less on the radiograph are defined as
rounded indications.
Aligned Indications
A sequence of four or more rounded indications when they touch a line parallel to the length
of the weld drawn through the center of two outer rounded indications.
289
© 2015 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
K22265_Book.indb 289 4/20/15 5:49 PM
290 Annexure D: Radiography of Storage Tanks
Acceptance Criteria as per Appendix 4
of ASME Section VIII Div (1)
(Table reproduced from ASME Section VIII Div (1) Appendix 4 with permission.)
Image Density
Density within the image of the indication may vary and is not a criterion for acceptance
or rejection.
Relevant Indications
Rounded indications that exceed the following dimensions:
1⁄10 t for t less than 3 mm (1⁄8”)
0.4 mm (1⁄64”) for t from 3 mm to 6 mm (1⁄8” to 1⁄4”), inclusive
0.8 mm (1⁄32”) for t greater than 6 mm to 50 mm (1⁄4” to 2”), inclusive
1.6 mm (1⁄16”) for t greater than 50 mm (2”)
Maximum Size of Rounded Indications
Isolated random ¼ t or 4 mm (5/32”), whichever is less
When separated by 25 mm (1”) or more 1/3 t or 6 mm (1/4”), whichever is less
For t greater than 50 mm (2”) 10 mm (3⁄8”)
Aligned Rounded Indications (Reproduced from ASME Section VIII DIV (1) Appendix 4
with permission.)
Acceptable when summation of diameters of indications is less than t in a length of 12 t.
Aligned rounded indications
L1 Lx
L2
Groups of aligned rounded indications
L1 3L2 L2 3L3 L3 3L3 L4
GENERAL NOTE: Sum of the group lengths shall be less than t in a length of 12t.
Maximum Group Length Minimum Group Spacing
L = 1/4 in. (6 mm) for t less than 3/4 in. (19 mm)
3L where L is the length of the longest
L = 1/3t for t 3/4 in. (19 mm) to 21/4 in. (57 mm)
adjacent group being evaluated.
L = 3/4 in. (19 mm) for t greater than 21/4 in. (57 mm)
Rounded Indications Charts (Reproduced from ASME Section VIII DIV (1) Appendix 4 with
permission.)
The rounded indications characterized as imperfections shall not exceed those shown in the
following charts.
© 2015 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
K22265_Book.indb 290 4/20/15 5:49 PM
Annexure D: Radiography of Storage Tanks 291
Charts for t equal to 3 mm to 6 mm (1 ⁄8” to 1 ⁄4”), inclusive
Random rounded indications (see Note 1).
1 in. (25 mm) 1 in. (25 mm)
Isolated indication (see Note 2)
Cluster
Charts for t over 6 mm to 10 mm (1 ⁄4” to 3⁄8”), inclusive
Random rounded indications (see Note 1).
1 in. (25 mm) 1 in. (25 mm)
Isolated indication (see Note 2)
Cluster
Charts for t over 10 mm to 19 mm (3⁄8” to 3⁄4”), inclusive
© 2015 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
K22265_Book.indb 291 4/20/15 5:49 PM
292 Annexure D: Radiography of Storage Tanks
Random rounded indications (see Note 1)
1 in. (25 mm) 1 in. (25 mm)
Isolated indication (see Note 2)
Cluster
Charts for t over 19 mm to 50 mm (3⁄4” to 2”), inclusive
Random rounded indications (see Note 1).
1 in. (25 mm) 1 in. (25 mm)
Isolated indication (see Note 2)
Cluster
© 2015 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
K22265_Book.indb 292 4/20/15 5:50 PM
Annexure D: Radiography of Storage Tanks 293
Charts for t over 50 mm to 100 mm (4” to 8”), inclusive.
Random rounded indications (see Note 1).
1 in. (25 mm) 1 in. (25 mm)
Isolated indication (see Note 2)
Cluster.
Charts for t over 100 mm (4”)
© 2015 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
K22265_Book.indb 293 4/20/15 5:50 PM
