ASME Section VIII - Pressure Vessel Design & Fabrication

ASME Section VIII - Pressure Vessel Design & Fabrication

Course Overview

Program Title: ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII Division 1 & 2
Duration: 5 Days (40 Contact Hours)
Schedule: December 8-12, 2025 | February 24-28, 2026
Timing: Full-Day (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
Location: Riyadh, Jeddah | Online Live
Course Code: STC-ASME8-2025-12
Investment: 3,800 SAR (Early Bird: 3,040 SAR)

Course Description:

Comprehensive training on ASME Section VIII Division 1 (design-by-rule) and Division 2 (design-by-analysis) for pressure vessel design, fabrication, and quality control. Essential for mechanical engineers, designers, fabricators, and inspectors working on pressure vessels in oil & gas, petrochemical, and power industries across GCC.

Course covers design requirements, material selection, thickness calculations, head design, nozzle reinforcement, flange design, welding requirements, NDE, testing, and ASME U-stamp authorization requirements applicable to Saudi, UAE, and regional fabrication facilities.

Target Audience:

• Mechanical design engineers

• Pressure vessel designers and drafters

• Fabrication engineers and QA/QC personnel

• Project engineers specifying pressure vessels

• API 510 inspectors advancing design knowledge

• Fabrication shop personnel seeking ASME authorization

Prerequisites:

• Mechanical engineering degree or equivalent

• Basic understanding of pressure vessel construction

• Familiarity with engineering calculations (strength of materials)

Course Curriculum Highlights

Day 1: ASME Code Structure & Design Fundamentals

• ASME BPVC organization: Sections I-XII overview

• Section VIII scope and applicability (Div 1 vs. Div 2 vs. Div 3)

• Design methodology: Design-by-rule vs. design-by-analysis

• Pressure vessel classification and jurisdictional requirements

• Design pressure and temperature determination

• Material selection per Section II Part D

• Allowable stress values and stress categories

• Weld joint efficiency and radiographic examination requirements

Day 2: Thickness Calculations & Component Design

• Cylindrical shell thickness (Division 1):

  • Internal pressure: t = PR / (SE - 0.6P)

  • External pressure: Charts for stiffening rings

• Spherical shell thickness

• Formed head design: Hemispherical, ellipsoidal (2:1), torispherical (ASME F&D)

• Flat head and cover design

• Flange design: Integral, loose, optional, blind

• Nozzle reinforcement: Area replacement method (UG-37), compensation limits

• Opening reinforcement calculations

• Practical exercises: Calculate shell, head, and nozzle for 1500 psig vessel

Day 3: Welding, NDE & Quality Requirements

• ASME Section IX: Welding and brazing qualifications

• WPS (Welding Procedure Specification) and PQR (Procedure Qualification Record)

• Essential, supplementary, and non-essential variables

• Welder/welding operator qualification (WPQ)

• Weld joint design and categories (UW-12)

• NDE requirements per UW-11 and UW-51

• Radiographic examination (RT) and acceptance criteria

• Alternative NDE: UT, MT, PT requirements

• PWHT (Post-Weld Heat Treatment) requirements per UCS-56

Day 4: Fabrication, Testing & Code Stamping

• Fabrication tolerances per UG-80 and UW-40

• Forming: Hot forming vs. cold forming limits

• Material identification and traceability

• Hydrostatic testing requirements (UG-99)

• Pneumatic testing (when permitted per UG-100)

• Proof testing and overpressure protection

• ASME Code Stamping: U, U2, U3 stamps

• ASME Authorized Inspector role

• Nameplate and stamping requirements (UG-115 to UG-120)

• Manufacturer's Data Report (Form U-1, U-2)

Day 5: Division 2 & Advanced Topics

• ASME Section VIII Division 2 overview

• Design-by-analysis (DBA) methods: Elastic stress analysis, limit load, elastic-plastic

• Fatigue analysis per Division 2 Part 5

• Fracture mechanics and fitness-for-service

• Material toughness requirements

• Division 2 advantages: Lower thickness, weight savings

• High-pressure vessel design (Division 3 overview)

• U-stamp authorization process for fabrication shops

• Quality management system per Section VIII Div 1 UG-93 to UG-104

• NBIC (National Board Inspection Code) and repairs

• Saudi SASO requirements for pressure vessels

Learning Outcomes

• Design pressure vessels per ASME Section VIII Division 1

• Calculate shell, head, nozzle, and flange thickness

• Apply nozzle reinforcement area replacement method

• Specify welding requirements and NDE per ASME

• Understand fabrication, testing, and Code stamping processes

• Interpret Division 2 design-by-analysis requirements

• Support ASME U-stamp authorization for fabrication facilities

• Ensure compliance with GCC regulatory requirements

Course Materials

• ASME BPVC Section VIII Division 1 (excerpts and key sections)

• ASME Section VIII Division 2 (overview material)

• ASME Section II Parts A, B, D (material specifications and allowable stresses)

• ASME Section IX (welding qualification)

• Course workbook (400+ pages) with calculations and examples

• Design calculation spreadsheets

• Sample data reports and documentation

• GCC pressure vessel specifications (Aramco, SABIC standards)

Instructor: Dr. Fahad Al-Ghamdi, PhD Mechanical Engineering, ASME Fellow, 20 years vessel design

Registration: scitcc.com/asme-section-8 | +971566922928