ASCE Skirt Buckling Check Uses Division 2 Rules
Are you performing the required ASCE skirt buckling check for your skirt supported vessel?
Many designers believe that since the ASCE skirt buckling check references the ASME Division 2 Code rules that it is not required for equipment designed per ASME Division 1 Code. This is not true! These Division 2 rules do apply to Division 1 skirts.
I review many specification sheets and calculations for new skirt-supported ASME Division 1 equipment that require ASCE Seismic evaluations. I rarely see the skirt buckling calculation included. This means many modern support skirts are missing the required Division 2 skirt buckling check!
Calculate Uplift for Bolting
Are your bolts designed to handle the uplift from moments caused by external forces like wind and seismic loads?
I commonly see equipment where only the operating case is checked and I’ve even seen cases where the bolt uplift calculation is ignored altogether. Don’t be fooled into ignoring this simple calculation as catastrophic bolt failure can cause severe damage to your equipment.
The empty condition often governs because process weight helps to prevent uplift. Please calculate all design conditions to determine the governing case.