49 CFR § 192.313 - Bends and elbows.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s192.313"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 192.313 - Bends and elbows."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "192.313"
section_name: "Bends and elbows."
chapter_name: "PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
subchapter_number: "D"
subchapter_name: "PIPELINE SAFETY"
part_number: "192"
part_name: "TRANSPORTATION OF NATURAL AND OTHER GAS BY PIPELINE: MINIMUM FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "30 U.S.C. 185(w)(3), 49 U.S.C. 5103, 60101  and 49 CFR 1.97."
regulatory_source: "35 FR 13257, Aug. 19, 1970, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "192"
---


# 192.313 Bends and elbows.

(a) Each field bend in steel pipe, other than a wrinkle bend made in accordance with § 192.315, must comply with the following:

(1) A bend must not impair the serviceability of the pipe.

(2) Each bend must have a smooth contour and be free from buckling, cracks, or any other mechanical damage.

(3) On pipe containing a longitudinal weld, the longitudinal weld must be as near as practicable to the neutral axis of the bend unless:

(i) The bend is made with an internal bending mandrel; or

(ii) The pipe is 12 inches (305 millimeters) or less in outside diameter or has a diameter to wall thickness ratio less than 70.

(b) Each circumferential weld of steel pipe which is located where the stress during bending causes a permanent deformation in the pipe must be nondestructively tested either before or after the bending process.

(c) Wrought-steel welding elbows and transverse segments of these elbows may not be used for changes in direction on steel pipe that is 2 inches (51 millimeters) or more in diameter unless the arc length, as measured along the crotch, is at least 1 inch (25 millimeters).

(d) An operator may not install plastic pipe with a bend radius that is less than the minimum bend radius specified by the manufacturer for the diameter of the pipe being installed.

[Amdt. 192-26, 41 FR 26018, June 24, 1976, as amended by Amdt. 192-29, 42 FR 42866, Aug. 25, 1977; Amdt. 192-29, 42 FR 60148, Nov. 25, 1977; Amdt. 192-49, 50 FR 13225, Apr. 3, 1985; Amdt. 192-85, 63 FR 37503, July 13, 1998; Amdt. 192-124, 83 FR 58718, Nov. 20, 2018]