So, who has had to do a butt and branch on a .500" wall, 12" pipe and why?? Have a test coming up on, .500" wall for API 1104 but have not run across anybody yet that has said, "Oh yeah". Most say, "What? 12", .250" wall will get you everything."
Have heard "endurance test" as well from most. Uhhhh, I climb cell towers for 10-12 hours a day, do you really want to talk about an endurance test? Sitting on a 5 gallon bucket welding a branch is more like and endurance test to resist falling asleep from boredom, lol!!
Anybody have any other ideas on why it's a .500 wall?? Just curiosity mostly, don't care either way. Want me to test on .500 wall, ok, what me to test on 3" wall, can do but just would like to know the reasoning behind it.
First let me say " I feel your pain"... 0.500 wall is an endurance test.
I have tested on many of these (.500" wall and greater) endurance tests.
You are correct in saying " 12", .250" wall will get you everything". But only for multiple qualification.
Multiple qualification on pipe equal to or greater than 12.750" dia. - .250" wall will qualify a welder, who successfully passes, in all positions, on all wall thicknesses, joint designs, and fittings; and on all pipe diameters (API 1104, 6.3.2). Less than 12.750" dia. limits the diameter qualified to "all pipe diameters less than or equal to the outside diameter used by the welder in the qualification tests" (6.3.2). Wall thickness is not an essential variable with multiple qualification.
Now, the single qualification, API 1104 (6.2.1) (5G or Branch) does have essential variables that deal with wall thicknesses. They are found in 6.2.2 and are grouped as follows:
1. Nominal pipe wall thickness less than 0.188"
2. Nominal pipe wall thickness from 0.188" through 0.750"
3. Nominal pipe wall thickness greater than 0.750"
I have taken single qualifications on .500" wall. The companies reason was to "hit" the mid-range of the wall thickness grouping (.188 -.750).
I'm with you on this one and I am not sure why some companies require it (maybe they just don't like welders).But I will say this, it will sure separate the men from the boys.. Seen a lot of tears over the years..
Anyways, probably didn't answer your question. Maybe someone else will chime in and shed some more light.
Good luck.
No, great answer and explained a lot. I do appreciate the comment and the education! Thank you!
Assuming greater wall thickness means stronger pipe, What kind of pressure could 1/2" wall take?
Not sure but the pipe is only x52.
Shawn....... Always thought .250 wall was to see if you can weld......... .500 wall is to see if you can weld while being PISSED OFF !!!!!!!! ( no problem for an experienced veteran like you)
Hahaha!! Good explanation! Find out tomorrow. Turn up the radio, grab my 5 gallon bucket chair and go for it. Just more welding, not like it's different, lol!!
So how did your branch test go.? Any pictures or updates.?
I passed, lots of welding but even worse, lots of torching and clean up. I think that's worse than the welding! I don't take pictures, I have to astonish myself to take pictures. All my nicks and bends are outside on the scrap trailer rusting away. Nicks all clean, bends, no cracks. Waiting to start on the maybe a week long job, lol!
Yes fit up is everything..!!! Good clean fit up makes the welding much easier. Its a time consuming test, then add a 12ich bellhole and 2in xxx wall 6G in a day. Makes for a long day.!!!
I didn't have to do the 2" test. Get done welding and then you pick up your gear and turn around and realize, darn, I've got to cut all this stuff out and grind now, LOL!!!
It's been my experience (36yrs worth) that either they want you to weld on something closer to what the production welds will be or (this one is the most common reason) .500" wt pipe is easier and more common to buy or have on hand than .250"
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