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3 is the bible of process piping engineering and every piping engineer should
frequently use this code for his knowledge enhancement. But to study a code similar to B 31.3
is time consuming and also difficult because the contents are not at all interesting. Also every
now and then it will say to refer to some other point of the code which will irritate you. But
still every piping engineer should learn few basic points from it. The following literature will
try to point out 11 basic and useful points from the code about which every piping engineer
must be aware.
1. What is the scope of ASME B 31.3? What does it covers and what does not?
Ans: Refer to the ASME B 31.3-Process Piping section from my earlier post.
Link: http://www.whatispiping.com/?p=44
Alternatively refer the below attached figure ( Figure 300.1.1 from code ASME B 31.3)
2. What are the disturbing parameters against which the piping system must be designed?
Ans: The piping system must stand strong (should not fail) against the following major effects:
Ambient effects like pressure reduction due to cooling, fluid expansion effect,
possibility of moisture condensation and build up of ice due to atmospheric icing, low
ambient temperature etc.
Dynamic effects like impact force due to external or internal unexpected conditions,
Wind force, Earthquake force, Vibration and discharge (Relief valve) reaction forces,
cyclic effects etc.
Component self weight including insulation, rigid body weights along with the medium
it transport.
Thermal expansion and contraction effects due to resistance from free displacement or
due to thermal gradients (thermal bowing effect) etc.
Movement of pipe supports or connected equipments etc.
Here,
Ii = sustained in-plane moment index. In the absence of more applicable data, Ii is taken asthe
greater of 0.75ii or 1.00.
Io = sustained out-plane moment index. In the absence of more applicable data, Io is taken as
the greater of 0.75io or 1.00.
Mi = in-plane moment due to sustained loads, e.g.,pressure and weight
Mo = out-plane moment due to sustained loads, e.g.,pressure and weight
Z = sustained section modulus
It = sustained torsional moment index. In the absence of more applicable data, It is taken
as 1.00.
Here, D=Outside diameter of pipe, obtain the diameter from pipe manufacturer standard.
S=stress value at design temperature from code Table A-1
E=quality factor from code Table A-1A or A-1B
W=weld joint strength reduction factor from code
Y=coefficient from code Table 304.1.1
Using the above formula calculate the pressure design thickness, t.
Now add the sum of the mechanical allowances (thread or groove depth) plus corrosion and
erosion allowances if any with t to get minimum required thickness, tm.
Next add the mill tolerance with this value to get calculated pipe thickness. For seamless pipe
the mill tolerance is 12.5% under tolerance. So calculated pipe thickness will be tm/(10.125)=tm/0.875.
Now accept the available pipe thickness (based on next nearest higher pipe schedule) just
higher than the calculated value from manufacturer standard thickness tables.
6. How many types of fluid services are available for process piping?
Ans: In process piping industry following fluid services are available..
piping systems defined for other purposes as high purity, ultra high purity, hygienic, or
aseptic.
7. What do you mean by the term SIF?
Ans: The stress intensification factor or SIF is an intensifier of bending or torsional stress local
to a piping component such as tees, elbows and has a value great than or equal to 1.0. Its value
depends on component geometry. Code B 31.3 Appendix D (shown in below figure) provides
formulas to calculate the SIF values.
8. When do you feel that a piping system is not required formal stress analysis?
Ans: Formal pipe stress analysis will not be required if any of the following 3 mentioned
criteria are satisfied:
1. if the system duplicates, or replaces without significant change, a system operating with
a successful service record (operating successfully for more than 10 years without
major failure).
2. if the system can readily be judged adequate by comparison with previously analyzed
systems.
3. if the system is of uniform size, has no more than two points of fixation, no intermediate
restraints, and falls within the limitations of empirical equation mentioned below:
Here,
D = outside diameter of pipe, mm (in.)
Ea = reference modulus of elasticity at 21C (70F),MPa (ksi)
K1 = 208 000 SA/Ea, (mm/m)2 = 30 SA/Ea, (in./ft)2
L = developed length of piping between anchors,m (ft)
SA = allowable displacement stress range
U = anchor distance, straight line between anchors,m (ft)
y = resultant of total displacement strains, mm (in.), to be absorbed by the piping system
9. How will you calculate the displacement (Expansion) stress range for a piping system?
Ans: Expansion stress range (SE) for a complex piping system is normally calculated using softwares
like Caesar II or AutoPipe. However, the same can be calculated using the following code equations:
here
Ap
=
cross-sectional
area
of
pipe
Fa = range of axial forces due to displacement strains between any two conditions being evaluated
ia = axial stress intensification factor. In the absence of more applicable data, ia p 1.0 for elbows, pipe
bends, and miter bends (single, closely spaced, and widely spaced), and ia =io (or i when listed) in
Appendix
D
for
other
components;
it = torsional stress intensification factor. In the absence of more applicable data, it=1.0;
Mt
=
torsional
moment
Sa
=
axial
stress
range
due
to
displacement
strains=
iaXFa/Ap
Sb
=
resultant
bending
stress
St
=
torsional
stress=
itXMt/2Z
Z
=
section
modulus
of
pipe
ii
=
in-plane
stress
intensification
factor
from
Appendix
D
io
=
out-plane
stress
intensification
factor
from
Appendix
D
Mi
=
in-plane
bending
moment
Mo
=
out-plane
bending
moment
Sb = resultant bending stress
10. What do you mean by the term Cold Spring?
Ans: Cold spring is the intentional initial deformation applied to a piping system during assembly to
produce a desired initial displacement and stress. Cold spring is beneficial in that it serves to balance
the magnitude of stress under initial and extreme displacement conditions.
When cold spring is properly applied there is less likelihood of overstrain during initial operation; hence,
it is recommended especially for piping materials of limited ductility. There is also less deviation from
as installed dimensions during initial operation, so that hangers will not be displaced as far from their
original settings.
However now a days most of the EPC organizations does not prefer the use of Cold Spring while
analysis
any
system.
11. How to decide whether Reinforcement is required for a piping branch connection or not?
Ans: When a branch connection is made in any parent pipe the pipe connection is weakened by the
opening that is made in it. So it is required that the wall thickness after the opening must be sufficiently
in excess of the required thickness to sustain the pressure. This requirement is checked by calculating
the required reinforcement area (A1) and available reinforcement area (A2+A3+A4) and if available
area is more than the required area then no reinforcement is required. Otherwise additional
reinforcement need to be added. The equations for calculating the required and available area are listed
below for your information from the code. Please refer the code for notations used: