A reinforcement pad on a vessel shell is intended to reinforce which parts?

• A. Spigots
• B. Flanges
• C. Supports
• D. Nozzles and man-ways

Answer: (D)

Reinforcement pads are thickened, welded-up areas added to the shell around openings to spread the load and smooth the transition from shell to the opening. The most critical places for this are where you have nozzles or manways entering the vessel, because these openings disrupt the shell’s uniform load path and create stress concentrations. The pad provides extra material and a gentler curvature so the internal pressure and welding stresses are carried more safely from the nozzle/manway into the shell. That’s why this feature is specifically used to reinforce nozzles and man-ways. Spigots, flanges, or supports aren’t the primary targets of a reinforcement pad in this context, since the pad’s purpose is to address the stress around openings like nozzles and manways.