The study described in the first paper of this Bulletin was initiated in 1990 by the PVRC Design Divisions Committee on Piping and Nozzles (formerly the Subcommittee on Piping, Pumps, and Valves) under PVRC Grant No. 90-9 to Mr. Rodabaugh.The study was conducted in response to an informal request from the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Committee, Working Group on Piping (WGPD)(SGD)(SC-III) to document the method to be used in the experimental determination of stress intensification factors (i-factors) for piping components and joints.Although a significant number of studies and tests have been conducted over the years, beginning with the Markl testing of the 1940s, there was no universally accepted method to follow if one had need of an i-factor which did not appear in the ASME-B31 piping codes or Section III of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.As a most significant contributor to the development of i-factors, Mr. Rodabaugh was chosen to develop such a procedure.