Pipe Supports

A pipe support transfers the weight of piping to a properly designed support structure. This can be building structure, a pipe rack, a sleeper etc.
Planning of pipe supports is an important part of pipe routing studies.

Even before the exact locations of supports for a pipe line are established, consideration should be given to the feasibility of providing adequate supports in an economic manner during the layout planning stage itself.
After preliminary layouts have been conceived, more detailed studies are undertaken to determine the location of supports.

Pipe Supports

The maximum allowable spans for supports on a horizontal pipe line are principally influenced by the need to : (a) Keep pipe dead weight stresses within allowable limits. (b) Limit deflections, if necessary, for avoiding pockets, avoid interferences and aesthetics. (c) Control natural frequency of the piping system, if required. The American Code for Power Piping, ASME B 31.1 recommends the maximum allowable spans based on a maximum combined bending and shear stress within a specified value.

Pipe Supports

The spans apply to straight lengths of pipe without any concentrated loads such as valves etc. When pipes change direction, the distance between the closest supports on either side of the bend or elbow should be limited to 75% of the span given for straight pipe. Thumb rule for support span: Span in feet = pipe size in inches +10. For example, for a 8in pipe, span = 8+10 = 18 feet.

Pipe Supports

Location of supports: At the location of concentrated weights, such as valves, flanged joints etc a support should be placed close to the concentrated weight.
As far as possible, vertical pipes (called risers) shall be supported independently unless they are short in length. Close to equipment nozzles so that the equipment nozzles are not over-stressed. Where there are removable pipe sections, the removal of such sections should not disturb the other piping.

Pipe Supports

As far as possible, existing structure should be made use of for supporting the pipe, even if it means closer supports.
Where very heavy loads are involved, the civil engineer shall be consulted. To the extent possible supports shall be grouped. That is, a common support should be provided for a number of pipes running parallel. The will economize the use of structure and improve the appearance. If supports are to be taken from slender structures such as tresses, the civil engineer should be consulted. Such supports are usually at the tress nodal point.

Pipe Supports Proper space should be provided for spring supports.

The spring box assembly may be above the pipe or below the pipe.
For hot pipes, there should an adequate length of hanger rod, for the support to swing with minimum restraint. It is general practice to limit the swing to 50 from the vertical.

Pipe Supports

Limit to swing of hanger rod

structure

Spring box

50 Hanger rod

pipe

Pipe Supports

Pipe supports on rack or sleepers: Bare pipes may rest directly on the sleeper or the top of rack member.
Hot or cold pipes with insulation shall be provided with shoes so that the contact surface of the support is outside the insulation.

Guides are provided to direct or restrict the movement of a pipe in a particular direction.
Anchors provide restriction to movement in all the six directions ( three translations and three rotations).

Pipe Supports

Non-metallic pipes (such as PP or HDPE) shall be provided with continuous support using angles or channels.
Lined piping has frequent flanged joints and hence these pipes shall be provided with clamps and shoes so that the flanges do not interfere with rack or sleeper.

Reference may be made to TCEL design guide for further details.

Pipe Supports

Spring Supports Where there are points of vertical movement of the pipe, it is necessary to use spring supports. These supports carry the weight while at the same time allow the pipe to move up or down. There are two types of spring supports, the variable load and the constant load. The variable load spring support is used on non-critical systems and, in systems, where the vertical movements are not large. Due to the stiffness of the spring, there will be a change in the reactions between the hot and cold positions and this difference is transferred to the piping system as an additional load. In the constant load type, this variation is small. This type is very expensive and is used only in critical piping, for example, power plant main steam or reheat piping.

Constant Load Spring Box Assembly

Variable Load Spring Box Assembly

Sliding Shoe Pipe Supports

Clamp Type Pipe Supports

Pipe Support

Pipe Shoe

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