NOZZLE ATTACHMENT AT WELDS

This article is a summary of paragraph UW-16 of ASME Section VIII, Division 1 (ASME VIII-1). This paragraph
classifies the nozzle attachments into various types, namely:
1) Necks attached by full penetration weld
2) Necks attached by fillet or partial penetration weld
3) Necks and tubes up to and including NPS6 attached from one side only
4) Standard fittings: ASME/ ANSI or Manufacturer’s Standard
5) Bolting pads: Manufacturer’s Standard
ASME VIII-1 requirements as they apply to various types of nozzle attachments are described below.

NECKS ATTACHED BY A FULL PENETRATION WELD

1) Necks abutting a vessel wall (set-on nozzles) shall be attached by full penetration groove welds.
See Figure 1 for examples.

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (a) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (a-1) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (a-2)

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (a-3) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (a-4) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (b)

Figure 1: Examples for Set-on Nozzles Attached by Full Penetration Weld

2) Necks inserted through the vessel wall (set-in nozzles) may be attached by full penetration groove welds.
See Figure 2 for examples. Note: The configurations shown in Figure 2 are all full penetration groove welds;
however, it is not a requirement for set-in nozzles.
3) If additional reinforcement is required, it shall be provided as an integral reinforcement, or by the addition
of separate reinforcement plates.
a) Integral reinforcement is that reinforcement provided in the form of extra thickness in nozzle necks
and/or shells, forging type inserts, or weld build-up which is an integral part of shell or nozzle wall, and
 where required, is attached by full penetration welds. Correction factor, F factor from Figure UG-37 may
be used for reinforcement calculations.
See Figure 3 for examples.

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (c) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (d) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (e)

Figure 2: Examples for Set-in Nozzles Attached by Full Penetration Welds

b) Separate reinforcement plates may be added to the outside surface of shell wall, the inside surface of
shell wall, or to both surfaces of shell wall. The nozzle is no longer considered a nozzle with integral
reinforcement, and the F factor shall be taken as 1.0.
See Figure 4 for examples. These are various applications of reinforcing plates added to Figure UW-
16.1, Sketch (a) in ASME VIII-1.
Any of these applications of reinforcement plates may be used with necks of types shown in Figure UW-
16.1, Sketches (b), (c), (d), and (e) in ASME VIII-1. The reinforcing plates shall be attached by welds at
the outer edge of the plate and at the nozzle neck periphery or inner edge of the plate if there is no neck
adjacent to the plate.
i) The weld at the outer edge of the reinforcement plate shall be a continuous fillet weld with a
minimum throat dimension of ½ tmin.
t min = smaller of (3/4", thickness of the thinner of the parts joined)
ii) The weld at the inner edge of the reinforcement plate which does not abut a nozzle neck shall be
continuous fillet weld with a minimum throat dimension of ½ tmin.
See Figure 5 for examples.
iii) The weld at the inner edge of the reinforcement plate when the reinforcement plate is full
penetration welded to the nozzle neck shall be continuous fillet weld with a minimum throat
dimension of tc.
t c ≥ smaller of (1/4", 0.7t min )
See Figure 6 for examples.
iv) The weld at the inner edge of the reinforcement plate when the reinforcement plate is not full
penetration welded to the nozzle neck shall be continuous fillet weld with a minimum throat
dimension of tw = 0.7tmin.
See Figure 7 for example.

NECKS ATTACHED BY FILLET OR PARTIAL PENETRATION WELDS

1) Set-in nozzles may be attached by fillet or partial penetration welds, one on each face of the vessel wall. The
welds may be any desired combination of fillet, single-bevel, and single-J welds. The dimensions t1 and t2 in
each weld shall be as follows:
 t1 , t 2 ≥ smaller of (1/4", 0.7t min )
1
t1 + t 2 ≥ 1 t min
4

See Figure 8 for examples.

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (a) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (b) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (c)

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (d) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (e) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (f-1)

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (f-2) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (f-3) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (f-4)

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (g) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (y-1) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (z-1)

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (x-1)

Figure 3: Examples for Nozzles with Integral Reinforcement

2) If additional reinforcement is required, it may be provided in the form of extra thickness in nozzle necks
and/or shells, forgings, and/or separate reinforcing plates attached by welding. Weld requirements shall be
same as that for separate reinforcing plate for nozzles attached by full penetration weld except that the
welds attaching the nozzle to the vessel wall or to the reinforcing plate shall consist of either (-a) or (-b)
below:
a) Single-bevel or single-J weld in the shell plate, and a single-bevel or a single-J weld in each reinforcing
plate.
t w ≥ 0.7t min
See Figure 9 for examples.

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (a-1) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (a-2) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (a-3)

Figure 4: Examples for Nozzles with Separate Reinforcing Plates

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (a-2) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (a-3)

Figure 5: Weld at Inner Edge of Reinforcing Plate that Does Not Abut Nozzle

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (a-1) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (a-3)

Figure 6: Weld at Inner Edge of Reinforcing Plate When Reinforcing Plate is Full
Penetration Welded to Nozzle
b) Full penetration groove weld in each reinforcing plate; and a fillet, single-bevel, or single-J weld with the
following dimensions:
t w ≥ 0.7t min
See Figure 10 for examples.
 Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (h)

Figure 7: Weld at Inner Edge of Reinforcing Plate When Reinforcing Plate is Not
Full Penetration Welded to Nozzle

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (i) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (j) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (k)

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (l)

Figure 8: Set-in Nozzles Attached by Fillet or Partial Penetration Welds,

One on Each Face of Vessel Wall
3) Nozzles, flared nozzles, and studding outlet type flanges may be attached by fillet welds or partial
penetration welds between the outside diameter or the attachment and the outside surface of the shell and
at the inside of the opening in the shell. The throat dimension of the outer attachment weld shall not be less
than 1/2t min . The dimension t w of the weld at the inside of the shell cutout shall not be less than 0.7t min .
See Figure 11 for examples.
Studding outlet type flanges may also be attached by full penetration welds as shown in Figure UW-16.1,
Sketch (p-2) in ASME VIII-1.
 Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (q) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (r)

Figure 9: Single-bevel or Single-J Weld in Shell Plate, and Single-bevel

or Single-J Weld in Each Reinforcing Plate

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (s)

Figure 10: Full Penetration Groove Weld in Each Reinforcing Plate, and Fillet,
Single-bevel, or Single-J Weld in Each Reinforcing Plate

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (m) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (n) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (0)

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (p-1)

Figure 11: Nozzle Necks, Flared Necks, and Studding Outlet Type Flanges Attached by
Fillet Welds or Partial Penetration Welds

NECKS AND TUBES UP TO AND INCLUDING NPS6 ATTACHED FROM ONE SIDE ONLY
1) Necks and tubes not exceeding NPS6 may be attached from one side only on either the outside or inside
surface of the vessel.
 1
a) Depth of the welding groove or the throat of the fillet weld shall be at least equal to 1 t min .
4

See Figure 12 for examples.

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (v-1) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (v-2) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (w-1)

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (w-2)

Figure 12: Nozzles and Tubes Not Exceeding NPS6 Attached From One Side Only
The radial clearance between the vessel opening and the nozzle outside diameter at the unwelded side
shall not exceed the tolerances given in the sketches in Figure 12.
For applications where there are no external loads, G = 1/8” max.
For applications where there are external loads, G = 0.005 in for Do ≤ 1 in
G = 0.010 in for 1 in < Do ≤ 4 in
5
G = 0.015 in for 4 in < Do ≤ 6 in
8

When welded from outside, the nozzle or tube shall extend to be at least flush to the inside surface of
the vessel wall.
These attachments shall satisfy rules for reinforced openings, except that no material in the nozzle shall
be counted as reinforcement.
b) As an alternative to a) above, when the nozzle or tube is attached from outside, a welding groove shall
be cut into the surface to a depth of not less than t n on the longitudinal axis of the opening. It is
recommended that a recess of 1/16” deep be provided at the bottom of the groove, in which the nozzle
can be centered. The dimension t w of the attachment weld shall not be less than t n nor less than 1/4".
See Figure 13 for examples.

STANDARD FITTINGS: ASME/ ANSI OR MANUFACTURER’S STANDARD

Attachment of standard fittings shall meet the following requirements:
1) Except as provided in 2) through 6) below, fittings shall be attached by
 a) Two fillet or partial penetration welds, one on each face of the vessel wall; and the minimum weld
dimensions shall be as shown in Figure 14; or
b) Full penetration groove weld [See “Necks Attached by a Full Penetration Weld”].

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (t) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (u)

Figure 13: Nozzles or Tubes Not Exceeding NPS6 Attached From Outside Only

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (x) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (y) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (z)

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (aa)

Figure 14: Two Fillet or Partial Penetration Welds, One on Each Face of Vessel Wall
2) Fittings not exceeding NPS3 shown in Figure 15 may be attached by welds that are exempt from size
requirements with the following limitations:
a) The strength of groove welds and the fillet welds shall be calculated for all applied loadings.
b) For partial penetration welds or fillet welds,
t1 or t 2 ≥ smaller of (3/32", 0.7t min )
3) See below.
a) If a pressure vessel is not subject to rapid fluctuations in pressure, fittings not exceeding NPS3 may be
attached by a fillet weld deposited from outside only without any additional reinforcement provided all
of following conditions are satisfied:
i) The maximum vessel thickness is 3/8”.
ii) The maximum size of opening is limited to the outside diameter of the attached pipe plus 3/4", but
not greater than one-half the vessel inside diameter.

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (x) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (y) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (z)

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (aa) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (bb)

Figure 15: Fittings Not Exceeding NPS3 Attached by Welds That

Are Exempt From Size Requirements
iii) The attachment weld throat shall be greater of the minimum nozzle neck thickness required by UG-
45 for the same nominal size connection AND that necessary to limit the maximum allowable load
to the product of weld area (based on minimum leg dimension), the maximum allowable stress
value in tension of the material being used, and a joint efficiency of 0.55.
iv) The typical fitting dimension t f as shown in Figure 16 shall be sufficient to accommodate a weld leg
which will provide a weld throat dimension detailed in iii) above.

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (p-2)

Figure 16: Fitting Dimension 𝐭𝐭 𝐟𝐟

v) The openings shall meet the requirements of small openings defined in ASME VIII-1.
vi) In lieu of thickness requirements in UG-45, the minimum wall thickness for fittings shall not be less
than that shown in Table 1 plus any thickness needed for corrosion allowance.
 Table 1: Minimum Thickness Requirements for Fittings

NPS in NPS in
1/8 0.11 1¼ 0.30
1/4 0.11 1½ 0.30
3/8 0.11 2 0.31
1/2 0.14 2½ 0.37
3/4 0.16 3 0.38
1 0.22

In the table above, for fittings having a specified outside diameter not equal to the outside diameter
of an equivalent standard NPS size, the NPS size chosen from the table shall be one having an
equivalent outside diameter larger than the fittings outside diameter.
b) If the size of the opening does not meet the requirements for a small opening; OR exceeds the outside
diameter of attached pipe plus 3/4"; OR is greater than one-half of the vessel inside diameter, the
affected part shall be subject to a proof test, or the opening shall be reinforced in accordance with the
code requirements given in paragraph UG-37. In satisfying the rules for reinforcement, no material in
the nozzle neck shall be counted as reinforcement.
4) Fittings not exceeding NPS3 may be attached by a fillet groove weld from the outside only as shown in Figure
17. The groove weld, t w , shall not be less than the thickness of Schedule 160 pipe for the nearest equivalent
pipe size.

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (bb)

Figure 17: Fittings Not Exceeding NPS3 Attached by Fillet Groove Weld
From Outside Only
5) Flange type fittings not exceeding NPS2, with some acceptable type shown in Figure UW-16.2, may be
attached without any additional reinforcement provided all of the following conditions are met,
a) Maximum vessel wall thickness is 3/8”.
b) Maximum design pressure is 350 psi.
c) Minimum fillet leg, t f , is 3/32”.
d) Finished opening shall not exceed the outside diameter of the nominal pipe size plus 3/4".
6) Fittings conforming to Figure 18 not exceeding NPS3 may be attached by a single fillet weld on the inside of
the vessel only provided criteria of Figure 19 are satisfied.

BOLTING PADS: MANUFACTURER’S STANDARD

The attachment of standard bolting pads shall meet the following requirements:
1) Bolting pads shall be attached by full penetration groove weld OR by two fillet OR partial penetration welds,
one on each face of the vessel wall.
See Figure 20 for examples.
Exceptions are provided in 2) and 3) below.

Figure: UW-16.2, Sketch (k)

Figure 18: Fittings Not Exceeding NPS3 Attached by Fillet Groove Weld

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (w-1) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (w-2)

Figure 19: Fittings Not Exceeding NPS3 Attached by Fillet Groove Weld
2) Bolting pads as shown in Figure 21 may be attached to vessels by a fillet weld deposited from outside only
with the following limitations:
a) The maximum vessel wall thickness is 3/8” and the bolting pad outside diameter is not greater than 4-
¾”.

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (p-1) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (p-2) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (x)

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (y) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (z) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (aa)

Figure 20: Bolting Pads Attached by Full Penetration Groove Weld OR

by Two Fillet OR Partial Penetration Welds, One on Each Face of Vessel Wall
b) The maximum size of the opening in the vessel is limited to the following:
i) 4-¾” for bolting pads that are inserted through the vessel wall. See UW-16.3, Sketch (a) in Figure
21 below.
ii) 1/4" less than the bolting pad diameter for those that are set-on the vessel. See UW-16.3, Sketch
(b) in Figure 21 below.

Figure: UW-16.3, Sketch (a) Figure: UW-16.3, Sketch (b)

Figure 21: Bolting Pads Attached by Fillet Weld Deposited From Outside Only

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (a) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (a-1) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (a-2)

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (a-3) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (a-4) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (b)

Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (c) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (d) Figure: UW-16.1, Sketch (e)

Figure 22: Fillet Weld Leg Dimensions for Sketches Above

c) The attachment weld throat shall be the greatest of the following:
i) Minimum nozzle neck thickness required by UG-45 for the same nominal size connection.
 ii) 1.0t min
iii) That necessary to limit the maximum allowable load to the product of weld area (based on minimum
leg dimension), the maximum allowable stress value in tension of the material being used, and a
joint efficiency of 0.55.
d) The typical bolting pad dimension, t f , as shown in UW-16.3, Sketch (a) in Figure 21 above shall be
sufficient to accommodate a weld leg that will provide a weld throat dimension.
e) In satisfying the rules for reinforcement of openings, no material in the bolting pad shall be counted as
reinforcement.
3) If the opening exceeds either 4-¾” diameter or is greater than one-half the vessel inside diameter, the
affected part shall be subject to proof test, or the opening shall be reinforced in accordance with UG-37 and
the nozzle shall be attached using a suitable detail in Figure UW-16.1, if welded.

MINIMUM THROAT DIMENSIONS OF FILLET WELDS

The minimum throat dimensions of fillet welds defined in Figure UW-16.1 shall be maintained around the
circumference of the attachment, except as provided below.
1) For nozzles attached to shells as shown in Figure 22, the fillet weld leg dimensions that meets the minimum
throat dimensions shall be calculated for the equivalent thickness nozzle attached perpendicular to the
surface of a flat head with thickness equal to the shell thickness.
2) The fillet weld leg dimensions along the shell and nozzle need not exceed the calculated fillet weld leg
dimension.
3) For radial nozzles when the outside diameter of the nozzle approaches tangency with the shell, the fillet
weld shall be smoothly transitioned into the full-penetration weld.
4) For non-radial and tangential nozzles where the angle between the nozzle and shell is too large or too small
to make a fillet weld or when the nozzle approaches tangency with the shell, the fillet weld shall be smoothly
transitioned into the full-penetration weld.

References:
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, Division 1 (2023 Edition)