Joint Efficiency
Joint efficiency is a factor required in all head and shell calculations that accounts for how closely a
finished weld joint approximates the quality of the seamless parent material. Without further
inspection it is assumed the welded joint is weaker than the material around it due to potential
defects such as porosity, slag inclusions, and others. Shell thickness and therefore weld quantity is
increased to account for this reduction in strength. Code welders following a qualified weld
procedure are tested to weld a finished joint that maintains 100% of the parent material strength,
but without further testing the allowed strength of a production joint is reduced to 70%.
For some design conditions, such as lethal service, the Code requires the designer to specify full
radiography. However, when not required, the designer can specify optional radiographic
examination to increase joint efficiency and reduce the required thickness of shells and heads. The
designer weighs the material and welding costs against inspection costs to determine which course
is best suited for the application.
The figures below show the ASME VIII-1 joint efficiency values based on Type 1 joints (butt joints
fully welded from both sides or equivalent) and degree of radiographic examination. The
information is generated using the radiography logic diagrams and samples from Part 7 of PTB-4-
2013 ASME Section VIII – Division 1 Example Problem Manual – the PTB-4 ‘E7.1’ through ‘E7.4’
example numbers are indicated where applicable.
No Radiography
ASME PTB-4 Ref. No.: None
E = 0.70
E = 0.85
Figure 1. Sample vessel illustrating joint locations and efficiency for No Radiography
Visual examination with no radiography is the simplest inspection option. All shell joints (A and B)
have an efficiency of 0.70.
The seamless head efficiency is reduced from 1.00 to 0.85 since the shell circumferential seam it
intersects is not inspected per code rule UW-12(d). This is shown as the “imaginary” seam H in the
figure.
RT-4 Option 1
ASME PTB-4 Ref. No.: None
E = 0.85
E = 0.70
E = 0.85
Figure 2. Sample vessel illustrating joint locations for RT-4 that will improve the shell long seam joint
efficiency.
Since circumferential stress governs cylindrical shell design, performing spot radiography on long
seams is the easiest way to improve joint efficiency and thus reduce shell thickness.
When specified, spot radiography requires one examination for every 50 feet of the same type of
weld, with the provision that each welder’s work is represented. One spot could cover all of the Type
1 joints in this vessel if their total length adds up to less than 50 ft. This increases the long seam
efficiency from 0.70 to 0.85 and reduces the cylindrical shell thickness at minimal cost.
The head imaginary joint efficiency remains at 0.85 due to UW-12(d).
RT-3
ASME PTB-4 Ref. No.: E7.3
E = 0.85
E = 0.85
Figure 3. Sample vessel illustrating joint locations for RT-3 that will yield the same results as RT-4
Option 1.
RT-3 increases the inspection requirements to spot radiography on both the long and circumferential
seams of a vessel. There is no value added for the spot radiography of the circumferential joints
since the long seam joint efficiency governs the design and RT-4 Option 1 already increased the long
seam efficiency to 0.85.
The head imaginary joint efficiency remains at 0.85 due to UW-12(d).
RT-2
ASME PTB-4 Ref. No.: E7.2
E = 1.00
E = 0.70
E = 1.00
Figure 4. Sample vessel illustrating joint locations for RT-2 that will improve the shell long seam and
head joint efficiency relative to RT-4 Option 1 and RT-3.
RT-2 is often used to reduce the thickness of a seamless, non-hemispherical head by improving the
head joint efficiency – all long seams must be fully examined to take advantage of this option.
For the first time rule UW-12(d) is met and the shell long and imaginary head seam efficiencies are
1.00.
RT-4 Option 2
ASME PTB-4 Ref. No.: E7.4
E = 1.00
E = 0.85
E = 1.00
Figure 5. Sample vessel illustrating joint locations for RT-4 Option 2 that will improve the shell
circumferential seam joint efficiency relative to RT-2.
RT-4 Option 2 is similar to RT-2, but uses additional spot radiography to improve the circumferential
joint efficiency of the shell. This option costs more than RT-2 and yields the same component
thicknesses – circumferential seams do not govern the design of cylindrical shells.
Again rule UW-12(d) is met and the shell long and imaginary head seam efficiencies are 1.00.
RT-1
ASME PTB-4 Ref. No.: E7.1
E = 1.00
E = 1.00
Figure 6. Sample vessel illustrating full radiography of all seams.
As shown, RT-1 requires all seams to be examined for their full length and yields E = 1.00 for all
joints. RT-1 inspection is required for lethal service.
Table 1. Summary of joint efficiencies for Type 1 joints on shells and seamless heads.
