ASME B31.3 Process Piping: Design, Calculations & Exam Prep

▸ ASME B31.3 is the code that governs process piping design across oil and gas, chemical, petrochemical and pharmaceutical plants worldwide.

Every wall thickness calculation, every flange rating decision, every pressure test and every weld examination in process piping comes back to this standard.

This course teaches you to use it — not just to know it.

▸ Calculation-led, not clause recital

Every major topic is worked as a calculation you can reproduce: the Clause 304.1.2 thickness equation with mill tolerance and corrosion allowance, Clause 304.3 area replacement for branch reinforcement, the Clause 319.4 displacement stress range, and the L/U simplified flexibility check. Plus a full worked pressure design for a complete process line.

▸ Course structure — 52 lectures across 9 sections, plus mock exams

• Foundations — why piping codes exist, the ASME B31 family, B31.3 scope and exclusions, terminology, and fluid categories with their design implications

• Materials — Chapter II requirements, reading allowable stresses from Appendix A, carbon and low-alloy steels, stainless, alloys and non-metallics, MDMT and impact testing, and the piping material specification

• Pressure Design — design conditions and corrosion allowance, the Clause 304.1.2 thickness equation, weld joint quality factor E, B16.5 pressure-temperature ratings, branch reinforcement, and a full worked example

• Flexibility Analysis — why systems must be flexible, the Clause 319.4 stress range equation, stress intensification factors, the L/U check, expansion loops and offsets, and when formal computer analysis is required

• Piping Components — pipe dimensions and schedules, flanges, facings and gaskets, fittings, valves, threaded and socket-weld joints, and lined and jacketed components

• Fabrication, Examination & Testing — Chapter V welding, examination requirements by fluid category, NDE methods, weld acceptance and repair, hydrostatic and pneumatic testing, and records

• Pipe Supports, Layout & Judgement — Clause 321 requirements, support types, span calculation, layout and routing principles, vibration and dynamic loading

• Exam Preparation — how B31.3 appears in the API 570 and PE exams, the top ten high-frequency topics, three fully worked scenarios with model answers and examiner commentary, and a revision framework

• Corrosion & Fitness-for-Service — corrosion mechanisms in process piping, remaining life calculation, an introduction to API 579 Level 1, and a worked FFS case study on a corroded line

▸ Six downloadable resources

• Wall Thickness & Branch Reinforcement Calculator (Excel) — pre-built Clause 304.1.2 and 304.3 calculator with the worked example pre-loaded

• Pipe Schedule & P-T Rating Quick Reference (PDF) — B16.5 ratings Class 150–2500 and B36.10 dimensions for NPS ½ to 24 on a single A3 sheet

• B31.3 Clause Navigation Card (PDF) — colour-coded one-page map of every key chapter and clause, built for open-book use in the API 570 and PE exams

• Flexibility Quick Reference Card (PDF) — the stress range equation, SIF values for common components, and the L/U check on one page

• Exam Scenario Practice Pack (PDF) — three full exam-style scenarios with model answers and clause references

• FFS Calculation Template (Excel) — remaining life and API 579 Level 1 general metal loss assessment

▸ Built for two exams as well as the day job

B31.3 accounts for a substantial share of the API 570 Piping Inspector body of knowledge, and appears directly in the mechanical and chemical PE exams. The clause navigation card in particular is designed for open-book conditions — knowing where to look under time pressure is the skill both exams reward.

▸ What you get

• Nearly 9 hours of structured video across 52 lectures and nine sections

• Two full course examinations — timed, scored and retakeable

• Six downloadable calculators, reference cards and templates

• Three fully worked exam scenarios with examiner commentary

• Lifetime access, mobile and TV access, and a certificate of completion

• Udemy's 30-day money-back guarantee

▸ No prior ASME B31.3 or piping code knowledge is assumed — code structure and terminology are established from first principles in Section 1 before any advanced content. Any engineering or technical background is enough to follow it. A copy of B31.3 is recommended for the open-book exam scenarios but is not needed for the course itself.

Built by a practising Chartered Engineer with over fifteen years on safety-critical oil, gas and energy infrastructure projects.