Hello fellow designers,

A Welding Research Council (WRC) Bulletin which addresses the design of API above ground storage tanks is available. The bulletin is entitled:

"Minimum Weld Spacing Requirements for API Above Ground Storage Tanks", July 2000, J.M. Lieb, K Mokhtarian, L.R. Shockley, E. Upitis.

This bulletin was produced with the cooperation of the API and it addresses API 650 and API 653 rules regarding weld spacing. Specifically it addresses the spacing between the nozzle reinforcing plate attachment welds and the tank bottom.

When preparing a Code or Standard it is not possible to provide much of the background logic that went into developing the rules. Documents such as this bulletin are very valuable beyond their stated purpose because they give us a better understanding of the committee's thought process. Comparisons to weld spacing rules from other Codes and Standards are provided.

This is "good stuff".


Best regards, John.