Points which should be incorporated while making Flexibility Specification

Every Organization prepares their own flexibility specification to cater as a guideline for stress analysis of critical lines
and for uniformity of jobs performed by stress engineers. From project to project this specification may vary slightly but
overall the contents are almost similar. In this article I will explain the points which must be addressed/ included while
making flexibility specification.

Scope/Purpose: All engineering documents must inform its end user what the content is all about and must start with
Scope or Purpose. In this part document will supply the information about how the user will be benefited from the
document. What is the purpose of preparing the document? What points are covered in the document and which
points are excluded?
Abbreviations and Definitions: Mention the detail names of abbreviated terms. Definitions are also required to
provide in this section.
Reference Documents: In this section specification will inform the references used for making the specification. The
Specification will list all the codes and standards, in house work instruction or specifications which will be used in the
project.
Criteria for Stress Analysis: In this part mention the minimum criteria which have to be adhered to while performing
stress analysis. Code equations which need to be followed etc.
Stress Critical line list: In this section mention the criteria for deciding stress critical lines. The factors like line size,
temperature, equipment connection etc which forces the stress engineer to consider the system for stress analysis
using Caesar II software.
Analysis Software: In this part mention which software (Caesar II, AutoPIPE, CaePIPE etc) to use for that specific
project. The version of the software must be included. It is always better to perform the analysis with latest version of
the software.
Analysis Parameters: In this point explain the required parameters for analysis like:
Installation temperature: Mention the installation or ambient temperature of the location where the project site.
SIF for 45 degree branch connections: Inform the engineers to use any specific criteria for calculating SIF for 45
degree branch connections.
PSV Reaction Force: Inform the engineer how to calculate the PSV reaction forces. Any dynamic load factor if need to
be used.
Slug Loads/Two Phase flow: Inform if any specific requirement is there for two phase flow lines like frequency of the
system need to be maintained above 4-5 Hz, for Slug flow if dynamic analysis to be performed etc.
Wind Loads: Mention the criteria for wind loads (whats the size), what shape factor to consider, which code to
follow and parameters to be used etc.
Seismic Loads: The criteria, code for seismic analysis, whats the seismic co-efficient etc.
Tank Settlement: if any settlement value has to be considered for analysis of tank piping. Settlement data is normally
obtained from Civil Department from soil investigation report.
Friction Effects: What will be the friction co-efficient for various contact surfaces?
Displacements of Tie-in Points: Criteria for consideration of tie in points and battery limit conditions.
Thermal Displacements of Equipment: If equipment to be modelled or displacement values to be used.
Support Lift Off: Any criteria for hot sustained checking or using appendix P on B 31.3?
Insulation Density: Any guideline for value of insulation density throughout the project.
Pipe Sagging: Accepted value of pipe sagging in sustained case. For example for process lines 10 mm and for flare and
steam lines 3 mm.
Flange Leakage Checking: Criteria and method for flange leakage checking if any.
Allowable Nozzle Loads: If any multiplication factor to be used along with standard allowable loads. For example
twice API 610 values for Centrifugal Pumps, 3 times API 617 for Centrifugal compressors, and Twice API 661 for Air Fin
Coolers etc.
WNC Checking: Criteria for alignment/ anchor free analysis and accepted displacement values if any for rotary
equipment. If springs to be kept in unlocked condition.
Modelling Criteria: If guide and line stops to be modelled without friction and gap, if any density to be considered for
flare headers during modelling etc.

Stress Analysis Documentation: In this section briefly describe which reports (Example input echo, restraint
summary, stress summary etc.) to be submitted to clients as final stress analysis document of each stress system.
Any guidelines for supporting of piping system.

The above points are the minimum required points. Additionally you can add many more points depending on project
requirements. So, hope by now you will be able to produce flexibility specification of your own.