ASME VIII-2 Pressure Vessels – What Does the Future Hold?

The recent release of the 2017 edition of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, Division 2 (ASME VIII–2) marks the 10th anniversary of the major re-write to the codebook. E²G | The Equity Engineering Group, Inc. was at the forefront of this rewrite effort as the lead investigator and architect of the improved writing format and organizational structure, as well as author of a number of the enhanced design rules. The rewrite of ASME VIII–2, published in 2007, was considered to be a significant milestone to promote the advancement of technology and a major upgrade to the user-friendliness, as compared to other ASME book sections. Yet, as much as we would like to celebrate this achievement, the codebook may be one of ASME’s best kept secrets. So, as we look forward to increased use of ASME VIII–2, it is time to take a look back at why ASME prompted the rewrite of the codebook and the initiatives ASME has taken to promote the codebook to the pressure vessel community; this article will also attempt to measure and analyze the success of these efforts.