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Pipe Support Systems


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 Pipe Support Systems (2 PDH)
Course No. M-2018

Introduction
Pipe supports bear the dead loading, live loading, wind, snow, and seismic
loadings, as well as the loads imposed or caused by variations in temperatures,
both ambient and the contained fluid. Pipe supports must prevent exceeding the
stress limit of the piping material, and prevent excessive forces and moments on
the equipment to which the piping is attached. Also to be considered are the fluid
dynamic forces, such as water hammer and steam hammer.

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) publishes The Code for
Pressure Piping B31. The Power Piping Code (B31.1) is one of several sections
of this code that applies to “power and auxiliary service piping systems for
electric generating stations; industrial and institutional plants; central and district
heating plants; and district heating systems, both on the property of and within
the buildings of the users”. This course will refer to B31.1 as the governing code
for the subject covered herein. Pressure piping systems in other facilities, such
as chemical plants and refineries, each have their own governing codes, and
should be referred to, as appropriate. The requirements for pipe supports and
hangers are, however, very similar to those of B31.1.

Nothing in this course is intended to modify or supplant anything in B31.1 or any

other governing codes.

The term “pipe supports” is used in a generic sense that includes pipe hangers
and restraints, and any other structure or device that bears the weight or restricts
the movements of piping.

Pipe support illustrations are taken from ITT Grinnell catalog PH 81.

Steps in Designing Pipe Supports

There are three loosely defined steps in pipe support design:

1. Developing a preliminary piping layout

2. Performing a piping stress analysis
3. Selecting the individual pipe supports configurations and components

The preliminary piping layout is of necessity done by the piping design

agency, and is described in the next section.

Page 1
The pipe stress calculations can be done by the design agency or by the pipe
support contractor. It often is more convenient to assign both the stress analysis
and the detailed pipe support configurations and supply to the general
construction contractor, who will then subcontract it to a pipe support
subcontractor. This is because the stress analysis and the pipe support
configurations are closely related, and often reiterative processes, and therefore
fit nicely into a single scope of responsibility package. The argument against this
is that the pipe stress calculations and decisions should remain with the design
engineer of record, and not delegated to the general contractor or to a pipe
support supplier. The latter approach is strongly recommended. If, however, the
pipe stress is delegated, the stress should still be performed under the
supervision of a Professional Engineer, and the stress analysis so stamped.

The detailed configuration of the supports is usually left to the pipe support
supplier or contractor because the details can vary with suppliers, and the
suppliers can most efficiently and effectively perform this function. The final
configuration drawings should then be reviewed an approved by the design
engineer of record.

Preliminary Layout
The physical layout of piping systems must take into account how the systems
are to be supported. Two primary considerations at this stage are inherent
flexibility of the piping system, and structural attachments for the supports.
Inherent flexibility is necessary to deal with the effects of thermal expansion and
contraction. It is accomplished by including bends or loops in the piping, and is
the work for an experienced piping designer. Also, of course, the piping must be
routed where there is concrete or steel from which to support it.

In preliminary piping layouts, the experienced designer will take into

consideration such things as the pipe size and wall thickness, and the maximum
range of temperatures the piping will be subjected to. He or she will then, either
by rule of thumb or guesswork, lay out the piping using bends, loops, and
offsets. Expansion joints or ball joints may also be included for additional
flexibility in tight areas. Anchor points and tentative pipe support locations are
selected. Allowable forces and moments at equipment nozzles are assumed,
pending input from the equipment vendors. At this point, the responsible
engineer must decide the degree of pipe stress analysis that will be performed.

The Power Piping Code

The Power Piping code (ANSI / ASME B31.1) requires that “power piping
systems subject to thermal expansion or contraction or to similar movements
imposed by other sources shall be designed in accordance with the requirements
for the evaluation or analysis of flexibility and stresses specified herein”, and for
all piping to take thermal stress “into consideration”.

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The Power Piping Code states the degree of stress analysis that must be
performed to conform with the code. I will quote:

“All piping shall meet the following requirements with respect to thermal
expansion and flexibility:
(A) It shall be the designer’s responsibility to perform an analysis unless the
system meets one of the following criteria.
(A.1) The piping system duplicates a successfully operating installation or
replaces a system with a satisfactory service record.
(A.2) The piping system can be adjudged adequate by comparison with
previously analyzed systems.
(A.3) The piping system is of uniform size, has not more than two anchors and no
intermediate restraints, is designed for essentially non-cyclic service (less than
7000 total cycles), and satisfies the following approximate criterion:
(a) English units
DY / (L-U)² is less than or equal to 0.03
(b) SI units
(6944.44) x [DY / (L-U)²] is less than or equal to 208.3
Where:
D = nominal pipe size in inches or mm
Y = resultant of movements to be absorbed by the pipelines in inches or
mm.
L = developed length of line axis in ft. or m.
U = anchor distance (length of straight line joining anchors in ft. or m.)
(B) All systems not meeting the above criteria, or where reasonable doubt exists
as to adequate flexibility of the system, shall be analyzed by simplified,
approximate, or comprehensive methods of analysis that are appropriate for the
specific case.
(C) Approximate or simplified methods may be applied only if they are used for
the range of configurations for which their adequate accuracy has been
demonstrated.
(D) Acceptable comprehensive methods of analysis include: analytical, model
tests and chart methods which provide an evaluation of the forces, moments, and
stresses caused by bending and torsion form the simultaneous consideration of
intermediate restraints to thermal expansion of the entire piping system under
consideration, and including all external movements transmitted to the piping by
its terminal and intermediate attachments. Correction factors must be applied for
the stress intensification of curved pipe and branch connections, as provided by
the details of these rules, and may be applied for the increased flexibility of such
component parts”.

A comprehensive pipe stress analysis of piping systems generally means

applying a reiterative computer program and finding the optimum combination of
stiffness, flexibility, and growth If the system cannot be made to “stress out”, a
reconfiguration is sometimes necessary.

Page 3
Guidelines
That being said, there is still latitude for the responsible design engineer to
exercise judgment as to the degree of stress analysis to be undertaken.
Unfortunately, comprehensive stress analysis is complex, time-consuming, and
expensive. For many projects, the following guidelines are followed:

1. Piping 2 ½ inches diameter and larger with temperature ranges of 250 deg
F or greater is to be formally computer analyzed.
2. Piping 2 ½ inches in diameter and larger which experience temperature
ranges between 100 and 250 deg F is to be evaluated in accordance
with Code approved manual techniques or stress table techniques.
3. Piping less than 2 ½ inches is generally not analyzed because this piping
is considered to be inherently flexible. Furthermore, this piping is
generally shown diagrammatically in the piping drawings, is not fully
dimensioned, and is field-run by the erector. There may be exceptions to
this guideline, for instance in the case of boiler blowdown and drain
piping. Such piping is high-pressure and high temperature, and can tend
to have straight runs if not carefully analyzed.
4. Piping carrying hazardous fluids or having long straight runs should
receive special consideration.

Again, the interpretation of the Code, including these exclusions from

comprehensive computer analysis, is the responsibility of the responsible
engineer, who is usually not the piping designer. Each flexibility problem should
be analyzed by a method appropriate to the conditions. Regardless of the
method used, the steps to determine the adequacy should be recorded in the
design calculations.

The following example is taken from the Giffels and Rossetti Reports appearing
in The Piping / Plumbing Engineer. It illustrates an application of the equations
given in paragraph (A.3) above.

Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Using Fig. 3, follow the six-inch pipe dia. line horizontally until it intersects the
vertical line at (L-U) = 18 feet. The intersecting point indicates that the system
can safely absorb expansion equivalent to a resultant movement Y = 1.5 inches.
Since the actual resultant Y = 1.235 inches, is less, the system has adequate
flexibility and no further calculation is necessary.

Cold Springing
Cold springing is a procedure sometimes used to reduce thermal stresses in

Page 7
piping. The pipe is installed in a pre-stressed condition when cold in such a way
that the stress is relieved when the piping reaches its operating temperature.
Larger stress values are allowable at ambient (cold) temperatures than at
operating (hot) temperatures. This procedure must be carefully designed and
executed, and caution taken if the piping is subsequently cut for future
alterations.

Other Pipe Support Loads

Pipe support loads other than those caused by thermal effects must also be
accounted for, such as:

x Piping dead weight

x Live weight, which is the contained fluid. In steam and gas piping
condensation and hydro test liquids must also be accounted for.
x Wind, snow, and any other temporary loads.
x Seismic loads.

Reactions at Piping Termination Points

After the resultant of all the piping loads and growth have been calculated or
estimated, a second look should be given to the preliminary locations of anchors
and supports previously chosen. A judicious placement of anchors and supports
can help reduce the force and moment reactions at the piping termination points
at the equipment nozzles. The allowable forces and moments on the equipment
nozzles have to be agreed to with the equipment manufactures. Rotating
equipment such as turbines and pumps are particularly sensitive to nozzle
loadings. Tanks and heat exchanger nozzles often can be reinforced by the
manufacturer to withstand heavier loads. The use of expansion joints and ball
joints may also be considered to reduce piping reactions.

Transfer of Forces and Moments to Any point

Flexibility analyses yield forces and moments exerted by piping on its terminal
ends in three coordinate planes. It is sometimes desired to determine the piping
reactions at some other points remote from the piping connections. It is then
easier to recognize the effects of these forces on other equipment and structure,
such as the strength required of a hold-down bolt on a pump or tank.

The reactions at any remote point are easily determined in each plane. The
force and the moment may be transferred anywhere in their plane, but the
product of the relocated force and the distance the force is moved must be added
algebraically to the moment.

Page 8
Moment at point P = + Mz - Fx a
Force at point P = Fx

The signs given, + and - , show the directions of the forces and moments exerted
on the pipe by the equipment and on the equipment by the support. Reversed
signs show the directions of the forces and moments exerted on the equipment
by the pipe and on the support by the equipment.

Transient Analyses
Transient or external loading analysis (seismic, water hammer, etc.) is an
iterative technique whereby the maximum stress levels, terminal reaction, and
piping deflections are determined by computer analysis for each load case.

For seismic analysis, the piping is subjected to horizontal and vertical force fields
which represent the maximum accelerations expected during a seismic event in
the particular geological area. A typical loading would include three cases, one
with a specified horizontal east-west field, one with a horizontal north-south field,
and one with a vertical field. The resultant stress, terminal reaction, and
deflections are the root mean squares of the individual case loads.

For steam or water hammer, an equivalent static loading is developed to

envelope the accelerations expected of the dynamic reactions. For each length
of pipe bounded by two elbows, two pieces of equipment, or one elbow and one
piece of equipment, the maximum differential pressure that could exist in that
section during the transient is determined and applied over the pipe cross-section
to develop the maximum expected loading on this section. Each section is
treated in the same manner. The piping system is then modeled and computer
analyzed with all of these loadings applied to each section.

The results of such a transient analysis are investigated for acceptability of stress
in accordance with the Power Piping Code, terminal reaction in accordance with
the manufacturers’ requirements, and excessive deflections which might cause
interference with other piping or structures.

Page 9
For systems whose results are unacceptable, there are two solutions. The
preferred solution is to locate restraints so that the results are acceptable. This
involves a dual iterative technique because not only will a restraint location have
to satisfy the transient analysis, but it is also subjected to another thermal
flexibility analysis to assure that the new restraint location does not cause the
thermal stress limits to be exceeded.

The second solution, if the restraint does not work, is to install a hydraulic
snubber or a travel stop. The hydraulic snubber is a device that allows thermal
expansion, but resists the accelerations cause by transients.

Pipe Support Configurations

Pipe hangers and supports are devices which transfer the loads from the pipe or
the structural attachment to the supporting structure or equipment. They include
rod hangers, spring hangers, sway braces, turnbuckles, struts, anchors, saddles,
rollers, brackets, and sliding supports. Structural attachments are elements that
are welded, bolted, or clamped to the pipe, such as clips, lugs, clamps, clevises,
and stops.

Pipe supports come in many configurations, and are designed to constrain pipe
motion in one, two, or three space coordinates. Only the most common types will
be generally described in this course. Manufactures have catalogs that
thoroughly illustrate supports of all types.

In the following pipe support sketches, the dots (.) indicate suggested locations
for thermocouples.

Page 10
Rod Hangers
Probably the most common is the rod hanger that attaches to the pipe by a U bolt
or clevis and clamps to structural steel above. This is illustrated below.

The rod hanger provides support in the vertical direction and allows limited
motion in the horizontal direction. Adjustment in the vertical direction can be
accomplished by threads or a turnbuckle.

Page 11
Riser Clamp
Another common support system is the riser clamp, illustrated below, which
constrains vertical runs of pipe.

Page 12
Travel Stop
A positive vertical restraint is the travel stop, which fastens to lugs welded to the
pipe.

Page 13
Trapeze Assembly

This support consists of a pipe covering protection saddle and two channels.

Page 14
Variable Spring Hanger

A variable spring hanger is shown next. These devices are installed in locations
where stresses are not considered to be critical, and where movement permits
their use. The supporting force varies with the spring deflection. Movement of
the pipe causes the spring to extend or compress. Since the weight of the pipe is
the same in either the hot or cold positions, the variation in the spring force
results in pipe weight transfer to equipment and adjacent hangers, and
consequently additional stresses on the piping system. Since it is desirable to
support the actual weight of the pipe in the hot position, when the stresses
become more critical, the hot load is the dead weight of the pipe. The cold load
is actually under or over supporting the pipe, depending on the movements from
hot to cold.

Constant Support Hangers

Constant support hangers provide a constant supporting force for the piping
system throughout its full range of vertical pipe movement. This is accomplished
through the use of a spring operating in conjunction with a lever, in such a way
that the spring force times the distance to the lever pivot is always equal to the
pipe load times its distance from the pivot point. This type of support is thermally
invisible, as the supporting force equals the pipe weight throughout the entire
thermal cycle. These hangers are used on systems and at locations where the
stresses are considered critical.

Page 15
Page 16
This is a small sample of the wide variety of hanger and support arrangements
that can be provided by competent vendors to accommodate any number of
situations that present themselves in power plants, process, or other facilities that
utilize a variety of piping configurations.

Conclusion
The design of the system and devices that support piping systems in the manner
prescribed by the Power Piping Code ANSI /ASME B31.1, or any other governing
code, including the stress analysis and other analyses that the support design
depends upon, is the responsibility of the Design Engineer of Record, that is, the
Professional Engineer who stamps or seals the piping design drawings. This may
not be the direct quotation of any code of state regulations, but it is a generally
accepted principle in the trade. This course provides some of the generally
accepted procedures in designing pipe support systems, but by no means is it
comprehensive.

Pipe support design must be considered an integral part of the design process.

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