Following subsequent emails with the COADE technical support team, I would like to add the following:-

1) For further discussions on the code issue please see topic started on http://www.eng-tips.com/threadminder.cfm?pid=794 with the title ASME VIII Div 2 - Tower/Column - Long. Stress Effect on Nozzle Reinf.

2) PVElite computes shell thickness required by section (at the lowest point). Conservative results will be calculated for a nozzle positioned at the top of a long single section shell (i.e. the required thickness calculated will be at the from node location). For more accuracy the shell should be split into a number of sections.