Weld End Preparation at Unequal Wall

Thicknesses
Acceptable Design in Piping components

In most piping systems there are components such as valves, castings, heavier header
sections, and equipment nozzles which are welded to the pipe.
In such instances the heavier sections are machined to match the lighter pipe wall and
the excess thickness tapered both internally and externally to form a transition zone.
Limits imposed by the various codes for this transition zone are fairly uniform.
The external surface of the heavier component is tapered at an angle of 30 maximum
for a minimum length equal to 1.1/2 times the pipe minimum wall thickness and then at
45 for a minimum of 1.1/2 times the pipe minimum wall.
Internally, either a straight bore followed by a 30 slope or a taper bore at a maximum
slope of 1 to 4 for a minimum distance of 2 times the pipe minimum wall are required.
The surface of the weld can also be tapered to accommodate differing thickness. This
taper should not exceed 30. It may be necessary to deposit weld metal to assure that
these limits are not violated.
Below some tables with acceptable design for unequal wall thicknesses acc to ASME
B31.8

Internal Offset

External Offset

Combination Offset

NOTE:

(1) No minimum when materials joined have equal specified minimum yield strengths.