Meena Rezkallah, P.Eng.
Minimum Distance Between Welds as per International Codes and Standards
Welding is a fabrication process that permanently joins two or more pieces of metal
together. It is one of the most common joining techniques used in the manufacturing
industry and is used to create products of all shapes and sizes. Welding involves the
use of heat and/or pressure to melt the two pieces of metal together and then fuse
them. There are several different types of welding processes, including arc welding,
MIG welding, TIG welding, and oxy-acetylene welding. Each process has its own
advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to select the most appropriate process
for the particular application.
Arc welding process is an arc welding process in which an electric arc is used to
produce coalescence of metals. The process uses a consumable electrode that is
continuously fed into the weld joint. The arc is generated between the electrode and
the workpiece, which produces an intense heat that melts the metals and causes them
to join together. The process can be used on a variety of metals and alloys and is used
to weld components in a wide range of industries.
Minimum Distance Between Welds as per International Codes and Standards
The minimum distance between welds depends on the type of welding process being
used. Generally, the minimum distance between welds is determined by the type of
material being welded, joint design, and welding process parameters. For example,
the minimum distance between fillet welds is typically 1/16 inch (1.6 mm). However,
this can vary depending on the material, joint design and welding process.
Standard / Spec. Minimum Distance Between Welds
ASME SEC VIII Longitudinal welds 5t unless circumferential welds are tested by RT up to
Pressure 4" on each side
Vessel Code-2017 If impact test as per UCS-66 required the min distance cannot be exempted
by RT. No Limit for Circumferential
ASME IX. 2013 Longitudinal welds 5t unless circumferential welds are tested by RT
up to 4" on each side
In vessels with two or more courses, longitudinal joints of adjacent
courses staggered or separated 5t, t= thickness of thicker plate.
ASME B31.3 - 2016 5t or 30 degrees off for Longitudinal. No Limit for Circumferential
ASME B 31.4-2016 1/2 ND between miter crotches
ASME B31.8 - 2016 Consideration shall be given to the toughness characteristics and
quality of all seam welds in repair welds.
API 5L/ISO 3183- Longitudinal: 50-200 mm
2012 Circumferential. 1500mm
API 650-2014 5t between vertical welds
BS 2633-2006 4t, where t= nominal thickness of the pipe
BS 4515-2006 4t, where t= pipe thickness
BS 2971-2009 Agreed by parties
BS PD 5500 - 2014 Longitudinal welds, 4t or 100mm
AS 4458 Circumferential 4t or 30 mm
Non-pressure parts: the lower of 3t or 40 mm
The exception is made when the first weld is subject to PWHT
AS 4041-2006 4t or 40 mm
EN12952-5 -2001 But weld of tubes:
2D for t<250 .where D = Outside diameter of tube
500 for t>250; where t= Drum or Head thickness
Spacing between attachment weld and Main joint weld min 40mm.
Branch opening and Main weld:
2t for t<25
50 for t>25
If not practical, cross completely and ground flush and perform NDT
TOTAL GSEPPVV Longitudinal 30 degree staggered. Circumferential: 500mm
171-2012
SHELL DEP Circumferential: lD or 500mm
61.40.20.30-2011 Between branch/attachment and girth 4t or 100mm
ARAMCO 32- Welds of shell-head and head-skirt to be separated min 1 inch
SAMSS-004-2008
ARAMCO SAES-W- Longitudinal welds of adjacent pipe joints shall be 100 mm.
012-2008 Butt welds 20 mm or 3t whichever is greater.
