Nur Hidayah Haron – What Is Piping: All about Piping Engineering

Bolted joints are one of the most common elements in piping design. Whenever flanged joints are used, bolted connections play an important role in keeping flanges together and avoiding flange leakage problems. So Bolting is an important component of piping systems. In general, Boltings seem petty things for a whole lot of piping system design. Therefore, they tend to be "forgotten" when it comes to detailing its features especially the length. It is true that with nowadays technology of 3D modeling, it will be automatically calculated. However, this is only applicable when it is a normal joint consist of Flange-Gasket-Flange. In some other cases, Piping Engineers need to put more attention to details and define the length manually. It would be one of "failure" if these lengths cannot be rectified upfront and only discovered when installation comes in hand. Imagine if you are doing a big scale project, it will definitely delay the progress. And unfortunately, just because of these "petty" things. Let's see what are the bolting design features that Piping Engineers required to define and check in order to have a technically complied boltings. Bolting Features to be Checked in Bolted Connection While deciding a bolted joint or bolted connection the following bolting design features must be thoroughly checked to ensure a leak free long lasting piping system. Service - Defining Bolts MaterialSize & QuantityWasher RequirementInline ItemsLengthCoating - Common practice Fluid Service to Define Bolt Materials Like any other piping items, the bolt material will be based on the service that they will be used for. This will be defined when Piping Engineers are preparing their Piping Material Specification. No ratings are required for boltings as they are not pressure-containing part. Other than the OWNER's specification and requirement, another reference that can be taken into account is API 6A. Below attached as an example and guideline on boltings material to be used based on its service; Fig. 1: Bolting Material guidance as per API 6A In ASME B16.5 also showed materials for boltings as below; Fig. 2: ASME B 16.5 Bolting Material Guidance Size and Quantity of Bolts The size of the boltings will relate to the size of the flange, and quantity will relate to the flange rating. Flange with size from 1/2" up to 24" will refer to ASME B16.5 and ASME B16.47 for larger sizes. From the table, the size, quantity, and standard length (normal joint of Flange-Gasket-Flange) will be provided. The length would largely depend on Flange class rating as the thickness of flange differs when the rating increase. Example of Class 150 and Class 300 are shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 below; Fig. 3: Bolt Lengths for ASME Class 150 flanges Fig. 4: Bolt Lengths for ASME Class 300 flanges This length has been calculated with all consideration as in Nonmandatory Appendix C. We will cover this calculation again. Washer Requirement for Bolted Connections A common practice the boltings do not require a washer. Thus, when will washers are required? Washers in bolted joints are used: When used with an insulation gasket kit. This is to provide an engagement grip to the non-metal washers.When the non-metal flange is used to avoid flange damage due to the force exerted.Special case IF the bolt holes are bigger and may cause loose boltings. Type of Washers ASME B18.21.1 provides the following types of washers: Plain (Flat) WashersHelical Spring WashersTooth Lock (Internal, External) Washers Fig. 5: Washer types per ASME B18.21.1 Bolting considerations for Inline Items Normal flange joint will consist of Flange-Gasket-Flange, and usually by 3D modeling setup; this has been auto-calculated to define the length of the bolt. However, whenever inline items involved Vendor data incorporation, it is wise to check manually and implement inside the 3D setup. Actual thickness to be incorporated to avoid the insufficient length of the bolt. Example of inline items that require Final Vendor Data to be incorporated; Valves (manual & control valves) - sometimes its end to end dimension as per Manufacturer's Standard.Gaskets - especially insulation gasket, the thickness may exceed the standard 3 mm than the usual 3D system would assign for spiral wound gasket (after compressed). Extra care for a joint that consist of multiple gaskets joint.Spade, Spacer, Spectacle BlindInstrument Items - other than Control Valves, all instrument items that connected to piping shall be checked. Sometimes it came with non-standard flange thickness or upper-Class rating that requires an extra length of bolts. Bolt Length Calculation and Considerations Appendix C of ASME B16.5 provides an example of how the bolt length has to be calculated and what considerations need to be taken; Fig. 6: Bolt Length Calculation for Bolted Joints For the size of bolts more than 1", bolt tensioning requirement shall also be considered. For this, add another 1D or 1 thickness of nut for the total length. The following Bolt tensioning video tutorial explains clearly the requirement of the above-mentioned 1D or 1 thickness of the nut. https://youtu.be/ef9CXDhzH-U Video Tutorial: Bolt Tensioning Requirements Bolt Coatings on Bolted Connections Coatings on bolts can be said quite common nowadays. Even some OWNER would specify ALL bolts shall be coated. As been stated before, even though bolts are seemed petty, non-pressure containing part; but bolts will be sitting in the weather dry and wet maintaining the force of tightening for the pressure containing parts. To ensure the strength are efficient, corrosion is one of the major things to be avoided. The most popular coating that is used is the Fluorocarbon Coating (Xylan, PTFE, Teflon). But, there were other types of coatings such as; Galvanized (Hot Dip, Mechanical)Electroplating (Cadmium, Zinc) It is important to ensure the requirement of the project on the bolts coating. Some projects may be delayed just because of this one little thing (but important) has been missed out of consideration. Few more related articles for your consideration.Guide for Coating Selection for External Bolting to Reduce CorrosionHow to Select a Bolt: A definite GuideDifference between ASME B 16.47 Series A and Series B FlangesCollar Bolts To Maintain Removable Bundles in Heat ExchangersMethods for Checking Flange LeakageFew job opportunities for you.