Stud Bolt Thread Engagement: Implications of Applying New Construction Requirements in Post Construction Scenarios

Abstract

In its 2016 Edition, ASME B31.3 [1] removed its long held provision for thread engagement that deemed the lack of complete engagement acceptable if the lack of engagement is not more than one thread. This change can have implications on existing piping assemblies which prompted some clarifications in ASME PCC-1 [2]. This paper reviews some of the reasons for the change, the issues around determining a specific measurable criterion of an acceptable amount of thread engagement, and proposes alternate criteria for the new construction codes to consider that are easily measurable and enforceable.