This me look primitive to others but I need some clarifications.

How can I use the reduction factor for circumferential weld? As per B31.3 I can multiply the Sh with W. Do I get the same result if I considered the pipe as seam welded and putting a value on WI? Or do I need to specify a buttweld connection on all the joints and putting a value on Wc? Please advise.

You need the 070122 build and the software will automatically compute and apply Wc to tees and elbows. For any other circumferential weld, yes you have to call that node an "SIF", and manually define Wc.

Clarification is required for Circumferential welds. Unfortunately one can read para. B31.3-2004 302.3.5 two ways. For welded pipe, it is fairly obvious that W<=1.0 at Circumferential welds. But for seamless pipe, it is only implied (302.3.5e 3rd sentence) that W=1 at Circumferential welds. This sentence can also be interpreted that ALL Circumferential welds shall apply W<=1 for both seamless and welded pipe.

Comments please.

For pressure design, W applies to longitudinal welds (and spiral).

For evaluation of stress due to sustained loads, W applies to the circumferential welds. You can apply it at each weld, but since in design you may not know where the welds will be, I suggest simply applying it to the allowable stress, in which case the circumferential welds can be anywhere.

I did download the 070122 build and the elbows were ok.
But for my weldolet branch, I put a value on the Wc and the output is still the same. CAESAR II did not reduce my allowables.
I mean with or without Wc on my weldolet branch it gives me the the same result. (The material is user defined)Is this supposed to happen? Thank you.....

I can't tell from this, send the job to "techsupport@coade.com" and we'll look at it.

brktym

I encountered the same problem before. If you are modeling your weldolet as a reducer, and are applying the "SIF and Wc" on the same reducer element, the Wc factor will NOT be applied in decreasing your SUS allowable output. You need to apply the "SIF and Wc" either on the previous or subsequent element(that has to be a straight run of pipe). This was a problem on v5.0 I do not know about other versions of CII.