Stress Critical Line List

Stress engineer must classify and prepare a list of critical lines to be tested by means
of formal computerized analysis for thermal constant or expansion or vibrant stresses,
calculate the stress on nozzles connected to equipments and accordingly decide the
required type of support.

The purpose of the critical line list is to spot those piping systems which necessitate
exploration.

The Critical line list should include following points:
For piping systems of pipe size 4to 14 with temperatures (operating) beyond
175C; and for Pipe size 16 to 18 with temperature (operating) beyond
120C and finally of pipe size 20 and above.
If pipe stress calculations compel the national approval or client authorities,
this shall be implemented by the procedures as required by the respective
authorities.
3 and above sized process lines connected to rotating Equipments.
Piping fastened to air cooled Heat Exchangers.
Pulsating equipments, inlet and outlet of boilers and Heaters.
Unacceptable stresses and reactions caused by external displacements.
Lines of cycling services eg. Batch process or regenerations.
Locations of snubbers, spring type support, expansion joints.
Specific piping for slug flow/water hammer/ double phase flows.
4 and above diameter flare lines, Relief loaded lines.
8 and above lines with operating temperature above 200 C, in case of toxic
services.
Glass reinforced plastic piping.
Steam outlets, jacketed piping.
Cryogenic lines below -46 C.
Lines connected to Solenoid Pumps (Xmas trees) and well heads.
Lines in which bolts joints do not comply with ASME B16.5/B16.47
Pipings in, in and on derrick and flare structures.
Prior to the computerized analysis the following minimum analysis shall be
carried out manually
Lines with operating temperatures 100 C (210 F) to 175 C (350F) of pipe
sizes 4 to 14.
Calculations of forces, moments and stresses caused by the expansion strains
shall be formally analyzed by means of analytical and chart method
All critical lines must be highlighted in both project line list and PEFS/
P&IDs. The integrity of non-critical lines must be ensured by the piping
stress engineer, whereas the non-critical lines shall be flexible or natural
flexibility shall be achieved by pipe work configuration.

Synopsis
Critical lines include piping systems of 4 to 14 with temperature above 175C, 16
to 18 with operating temperature of 120C. Whereas the non-critical piping system
come under pipe sizes 4 to 14 with operating temperature of 100 C to 175C.