REVISION TO AS 2885.

1 - ISSUE PAPER

Issue No: 4.1 Revision: O Rev Date 17/04/02

Title: Branches - Flexibility and Reinforcement
Author: P Venton

Issues:
With the introduction of AS 2885.1 – 1997 it was decided to delete all of the requirements relating to pipe
flexibility and reinforcement that were contained in the 1987 revision, and transfer the basis for design to
a nominated piping Standard, either AS 4041 or ASME B31.3.

Subsequent use of these Standards has shown that they do not adequately deal with the particular
problems associated with thin wall pipes.

Amendment 1 to AS 2885.1 partially corrected the problem by bringing back some of the information
from AS 2885.1, 1987, but there still remains a problem because AS 4041 is a thick pipe standard, and
AS 2885 is essentially a thin pipe Standard.

Technical Assessment:
The Clause in AS 2885.1 Amendment 1 currently reads:
4.3.9.5 Branch connection assemblies
Branch connection assemblies that are fabricated from pipe complying with a nominated Standard
and pressure-rated components (forged tees, extruded outlets, integrally reinforced fittings,
proprietary split tees) shall be pipeline assemblies.
Branch connection assembles that are not fabricated from pipe complying with a nominated
Standard and pressure rated components shall be designed, fabricated, inspected and tested in
accordance with AS 4041 or AS 1210, and the requirements of Table 4.3.9.5. The use of any other
Standard shall be approved.
Reinforcement shall be provided as required by AS 4041 and the supplementary requirements of
Table 4.3.9.5. Reinforcement may be integral in a forged tee or extruded outlet, or may consist of a
pad, saddle, forged branch fitting (weldolet and the like) or member which fully encircles the
header.
NOTE: Where a reinforced branch connection is made to an in-service pipeline, AS 1210 may be used to asses the
potential for buckling of the main pipeline by the test pressure.

TABLE 4.3.9.5
REINFORCEMENT OF WELDED BRANCH CONNECTIONS

σc/σy d/D (see Note 1)

(see Note 1) < 25% ≥ 25% <50% ≥ 50%
< 20% Reinforcement not mandatory (see Note 2) If reinforcement is
required, and extends
≥ 20% < 50% Reinforcement not Reinforcement is required
around more than half of
mandatory for branch and may be carried out by
header circumference,
diameter ≤ 60.3 mm (see any of the methods in
full encirclement sleeve
Note 2) Clause 4.3.9.5
shall be used

≥ 50% Smoothly contoured Smoothly contoured

wrought steel tee of wrought steel tee of

VENTON-4.1-Branches - Flexibility and Reinforcement_RevO.doc Page 1 of 3

 REVISION TO AS 2885.1 - ISSUE PAPER

Issue No: 4.1 Revision: O Rev Date 17/04/02

Title: Branches - Flexibility and Reinforcement
Author: P Venton

proven design preferred. If proven design preferred.

tee not used, full If tee not used, full
encirclement encirclement
reinforcement is preferred reinforcement is
mandatory.

NOTES:
1. σc = Hoop stress or circumferential stress, in megapascals.
σy = Yield stress, in megapascals.
d = Branch diameter, in millimetres.
D = Pipeline diameter, in millimetres.
2. Design shall consider thin-walled headers, and allow for effects of vibration and external loads.

AS 4041 deals with branch connections in Section 3.19. It provides for connections made using:
o A flanged fitting
o A welding fitting
o An integrally reinforced fitting
o Welding direct to the pipe with or without reinforcement
o Socket welding or threading to attach the branch
o An integrally reinforced extruded outlet

Where reinforcement is required (AS 4041 Clause 3.19.8, it must be provided by:
a) Thickening the main or branch pipe (Appendix L)
b) Adding a reinforcement pad
c) Other means agreed between the parties.

Reinforcement using fittings nominated in AS 4041 is limited by the provisions of AS 2885 Clause
4.3.9.5 and Table 4.3.9.5.
Method (a) is not suitable for most pipeline situations because the main pipe is already in place, and
generally the thickness of the branch and the main pipe is inadequate.
Method (b) is limited by the provisions of AS 2885 Clause 4.3.9.5 and Table 4.3.9.5.

ME/38 has requested that the AS 4041 committee consider making provision in AS 4041 for the use of
higher strength piping for pipework designed to AS 4041 as a code nominated by AS 2885. This request
has drawn attention to the possible need for AS 4041 to review the requirements for reinforcement when
the pipework operates at high stress levels and has limited capacity to provide reinforcement. It may be
some time before AS 4041 can be modified to make such provision.

VENTON-4.1-Branches - Flexibility and Reinforcement_RevO.doc Page 2 of 3

 REVISION TO AS 2885.1 - ISSUE PAPER

Issue No: 4.1 Revision: O Rev Date 17/04/02

Title: Branches - Flexibility and Reinforcement
Author: P Venton

Proposed Change to AS 2885:

Until such time as a change is made to AS 4041 to deal specifically with branches attached to thin walled
pipe it is considered that the over-riding provisions of AS 2885 Clause 4.3.9.5 as amended below are
sufficient to deal with branch connections to thin wall, highly stressed pipes.
Change paragraph 3 of clause 4.3.9.5 to read
Reinforcement shall be provided as required by AS 4041 and the supplementary requirements of
Table 4.3.9.5. Reinforcement may be integral in a forged tee or extruded outlet, or may consist of a
pad, saddle, forged branch fitting (weldolet and the like) or member which fully encircles the
header. Integrally reinforced branches of the o-let type shall not be attached to pipelines where the
wall thickness is less than 7mm unless specific design provision is made to properly support the
branch to prevent excessive stresses at the branch connection from loads imposed on the branch.
The design shall consider accidental damage, settlement and fatigue.
NOTE: The requirement relating to integrally reinforced branches reflects experience of these
connections failing in service by tearing at the toe of the weld.
And delete Note 2 of table 4.3.9.5

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