ASME B31.
4-2009
402.7 Combining of Stresses
In restrained pipe, the longitudinal and circumferen-
tial stresses are combined in accordance with the maxi-
mum shear stress theory as follows:
Seq p 2 冪关共SL − SH兲冫2兴 2
+ St2
where
Seq p equivalent combined stress
When St can be disregarded, the combined stress cal-
culation can be reduced to the following:
冨SL − SH冨
such that when SL < 0, 冨SL冨 ≤ (Sx − SH), and when SL > 0,
SL ≤ (Sx + SH)
where
Sx p axial stress, psi (MPa)
Alternatively, the stresses may be combined in accor-
dance with the maximum distortion energy theory as
follows:
Seq p 冪SH2 − SHSL + SL2 + 3Si2
where
St p torsional stress, psi (MPa)
402.8 Stresses From Road and Rail Traffic Loads
The total effective stress due to internal design pres-
sure, temperature change, and external loads (including
both live and dead loads) in pipe installed under rail-
roads or highways without use of casings may be calcu-
lated in accordance with API RP 1102 or other
calculation methods. Cyclic stress components shall be
checked for fatigue.
Where casings are used, the same methodology may
be used for the design of the casing.
403 CRITERIA FOR PIPELINES
403.1 General
Design and installation analyses shall be based upon
accepted engineering methods, material strengths, and
applicable design conditions.
The design requirements of this Code are adequate
for public safety under conditions usually encountered
in piping systems within the scope of this Code, includ-
ing lines within villages, towns, cities, and industrial
areas. However, the design shall provide reasonable pro-
tection to prevent damage to the pipeline from unusual
external conditions that may be encountered in river
crossings, offshore and inland coastal water areas,
bridges, areas of heavy traffic, long self-supported spans,
unstable ground, vibration, weight of special attach-
ments, or forces resulting from abnormal thermal condi-
tions. Some of the protective measures that the design
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may provide are encasing with steel pipe of larger diam-
eter, adding concrete protective coating, adding a con-
crete cap, increasing the wall thickness, lowering the
line to a greater depth, or indicating the presence of the
line with additional markers.
In no case where the Code refers to the specified mini-
mum value of a physical property shall a higher value
of the property be used in establishing the allowable
stress value.
Pipelines within the scope of this Code may be subject
to conditions during construction and operation where
the external pressure exceeds the internal pressure. The
pipe wall selected shall provide adequate strength to
prevent collapse, taking into consideration mechanical
properties, variations in wall thickness permitted by
material specifications, out-of-roundness, bending
stresses, and external loads.
The forces and moments transmitted to connected
equipment, such as valves, strainers, tanks, pressure ves-
sels, and pumps, shall be kept within stress limits speci-
fied herein and in other applicable codes.
External or internal coatings or linings of cement, plas-
tics, or other materials may be used on steel pipe con-
forming to the requirements of this Code. These coatings
or linings shall not be considered to add strength unless
it can be demonstrated that they do so.
All in-line pipe and pipeline components shall be
designed to allow passage of instrumented internal
inspection devices.
403.2 Criteria for Pipe Wall Thickness and
Allowances
403.2.1 Criteria. The nominal wall thickness of
straight sections of steel pipe shall be equal to or greater
than tn determined in accordance with the following
equation:
tn ≥ t + A
where
A p sum of allowances for threading, grooving, and
corrosion as required in paras. 403.2.2 through
403.2.4, and increase in wall thickness if used as
protective measure in para. 403.1
tn p nominal wall thickness satisfying requirements
for pressure and allowances
t p pressure design wall thickness as calculated in
in. (mm) in accordance with the following
equations:
(U.S. Customary Units)
PiD
tp
2SE
(SI Units)
P iD
tp
20SE
--`,,`,```````,,,````````,```,``-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
 ASME B31.4-2009
where
D p outside diameter of pipe, in. (mm)
Pi p internal design gage pressure, psi (bar)
S p applicable allowable stress value, psi (MPa), as
determined by the following equation:
SpFⴛEⴛ
specified minimum yield
strength of the pipe, psi (MPa)
where
E p weld joint factor as defined in Table 403.2.1-1
F p design factor based on nominal wall thickness.
In setting design factor, due consideration has
been given to and allowance has been made
for the underthickness tolerance and maximum
allowable depth of imperfections provided for
in the specifications approved by the Code. The
value of F used in this Code shall be not greater
than 0.72. Where indicated by service or loca-
tion, users of this Code may elect to use a design
factor, F, less than 0.72.
403.2.2 Wall Thickness and Defect Tolerances. Wall
thickness tolerances and defect tolerances for pipe shall
be as specified in applicable pipe specifications or
dimensional standards included in this Code by refer-
ence in Mandatory Appendix I. Design factors in this
Code were established with due consideration for
underthickness tolerance and maximum allowable
depth of imperfections allowed by the referenced stan-
dards; no additional allowance is necessary.
403.2.3 Corrosion. A wall thickness allowance for
corrosion is not required if pipe and components are
protected against corrosion in accordance with the
requirements and procedures prescribed in Chapter VIII.
403.2.4 Threading and Grooving. An allowance for
thread or groove depth in inches (millimeters) shall be
included in A of the equation in para. 403.2.1 when
threaded or grooved pipe is allowed by this Code (see
para. 404.8.3).
Least nominal wall thickness for threaded pipe shall
be standard wall (see ASME B36.10M).
403.2.5 Use of High D/t Ratio. The designer is cau-
tioned that susceptibility to flattening, ovality, buckling,
and denting increases with D/t ratio, decreased wall
thickness, decreased yield strength, and combinations
--`,,`,```````,,,````````,```,``-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
thereof. Pipe having a D/t ratio greater than 100 may
require additional protective measures during construc-
tion. See para. 403.2.2 and the General Notes under
Table A402.3.5-1 for wall thickness allowances included
in the design factors.
403.3 Criteria to Prevent Yield Failure
403.3.1 Strength Criteria. The maximum longitudi-
nal stress due to axial and bending loads during installa-
tion and operation shall be limited to a value that
14
prevents pipe buckling or otherwise impairs the service-
ability of the installed pipeline. Other stresses resulting
from pipeline installation activities such as spans, shall
be limited to the same criteria. Instead of a stress crite-
rion, an allowable installation strain limit may be used.
Stress values for steel pipe during operation shall not
exceed the allowable values in Table 403.3.1-1 as calcu-
lated by the equations in this Chapter.
403.3.2 Criteria for Allowable Stress Due to Periodic
or Cyclic Loading. For unrestrained pipelines, the allow-
able expansion stress, SA, is as follows:
SA ≤ f 关1.25 共Sc + Sh兲 − SL 兴
where
f p fatigue factor calculated as f p 6.0N−0.2, but can-
not exceed 1.2
N p equivalent number of full displacement cycles
during the expected service life of the pipeline
system
Sc p 2⁄3 SY at the lower of the installed or minimum
operating temperature
Sh p 2⁄3 SY at the higher of the installed or maximum
operating temperature
403.3.3 Strain Criteria for Pipelines. When a pipe-
line may experience a noncyclic displacement of its sup-
port (such as fault movement along the pipeline route
or differential support settlement or subsidence along
the pipeline), the longitudinal and combined stress lim-
its may be replaced with an allowable strain limit, so
long as the consequences of yielding do not impair the
serviceability of the installed pipeline. The permissible
maximum longitudinal strain depends upon the ductil-
ity of the material, any previously experienced plastic
strain, and the buckling behavior of the pipe. Where
plastic strains are anticipated, the pipe eccentricity, pipe
out-of-roundness, and the ability of the weld to undergo
such strains without detrimental effect should be consid-
ered. Maximum strain shall be limited to 2%.
403.3.4 Criteria for Transient Overpressure. Tran-
sient overpressure includes pressure rise due to surge.
Surge pressures in a liquid pipeline are produced by a
change in the velocity of the moving fluid that results
from shutting down a pump station or pumping unit,
closing a valve, or blockage of the moving fluid.
Surge calculations should be made and adequate con-
trols and protective equipment shall be provided so that
the pressure rise due to surges and other variations from
normal operations shall not exceed the internal design
pressure at any point in the piping system and equip-
ment by more than 10%.
403.4 Criteria to Prevent Buckling and Excessive
Ovality
The pipeline system shall be designed and installed
in a manner to prevent local buckling or excessive ovality