Section I is an oddball. VT is not referenced, and yet there, as your quote indicated, is a statement about undercut.
You will certainly get it fully required in B31.1 for BEP, but not the boiler proper.
And, as you mentioned in Section VIII it is not referenced either, except in relation to radiography.
So, the question can be asked, who is going to examine for undercut, and do they need, say, TC-1A, qualifications?
The answer has to be not according to Section I.
As is often remarked in here, in a half humorous manner, pertaining to WPS's and who can write them, say the janitor. Explicitly in Section I, apparently this janitor can examine welds for undercut as well.
And I wonder statistically, are there any more failures in say things welded IAW section I as opposed to D1.1 ?
Some of the stuff we do is just not that critical and some of it is. Thats where the specification writers, engineers, and all the other "smart people" get to do their thing. I have cut out more than 1 waterwall tube that was jammed together with no penetration to the root that had been in service since the boiler was erected.
I wonder if often times the code committees are just there because we think each individual "industry" needs em and thats a good reason to get together for some meeting.
You know, if its round, gets hot, holds pressure, does the welding need to be any different ?
Codes have always stunk as quality control systems.
Have a good one.
A primary philosophy of ASME Section I (especially for boiler proper) is the years and years of successful experience the boiler manufacturers have had. They are extremely reluctant to make changes to time tested methods. And especially with boiler components inside the skin.
They clearly get more stringent outside the skin with B31.1 requirements.
Yup. It has worked for years. Though it often conflicts with our internal perception of whats "Good and Bad" it works. Its a great code to work under as an inspector or a welder. I love the reinforcement allowance, works well with my gorilla welds!
Have a good one
Gerald
I guess the bottom line is that even ugly welds can be "good enough."
Maybe that is why codes don't define "ugly."
Best regards - Al
And the main reason I have been able to sneak by for 30 years. Just like Mama told my girlfriends "He may not be much to look at but he's got personality!" And boy have I made some welds with personality !
That and beer is how many of us snagged our women!
Al
