Socket Weld - Depth of Engagement

I agree, however I'm a contracted inspector for an oil company arguing this point with the construction contractor, if the oil company won't back me, I can't make them do anything. I need some documentation to validate my point, otherwise it's "The code doesn't say I have to". I'm not losing anything on parallel tension or compression strength, but the fatigue life due to lateral vibration/resistance to shearing stresses is, to me, a major concern.

A GA for Penn Piper. There is no minimum depth of insertion, only what the code specifies. This is extremely important when you are dealing with pipes subject to catastrophic failure such as pressure piping on a ship, a spacecraft or an offshore oil rig.

If you see ASME B16.11 Table 4, the depth of socket is given by dimension J. For example for 3/4" to 1 1/2" SW fittings, the value of J is 12.5 mm minimum. Leaving 1.5 mm from the bottom, for a 3/4" fitting the depth of engagement will be 11mm minimum. The minimum socket depth would have been ensured by the socket weld fitting manufacturer. The same would apply, for a SW flange.

GA bm. You are absolutely correct. I have worked at several generating stations where we commonly replaced one inch isolation valves for instrument taps ...etc. Often; during the removal of the old valve from the sockolet the welder/fitter ground off too much material and full engagement could not be obtained.

The resolution was to generate a table for minimum engagement base on the standard you referenced (or B16.5) subtracting the pull back. That table was incorporated into the general welding procedure and became an inspection hold point performed prior to fit-up.