Pipe Support Basic Seminar III

-G.Palani

KNOWLEDGE IS NOTHING
UNLESS IT IS SHARED

7/16/2011
 Table of Content
Introduction
Classification of Pipe Supports

Hard Supports
Pre-
Pre -Engineered Supports
Engineered Supports

Spring Supports
Constant Support Hangers
Variable Spring Hangers
Hanger Location and Span
Defective Spring Hangers and Cans
Points to be considered for selecting hanger types

Detail of Standard Weight Span

MSS SP 69 Standard
Good Engineering Practice (Kellogg Book)
Deflection
Foundation Settlement
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Effect of Center of Gravity on Flexibility
 1.0 Introduction

a) Preventive Measures
b) Necessary Information for Proving
Support
c) Cardinal Principle for Economic
Support
d) Support Location Guidelines

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 2. Classification of Pipe Supports

a) Hard Supports
b) Pre
Pre-
-Engineered Supports
c) Engineered Supports

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 2. Classification of Pipe Supports (Cont)

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 Pre-
Pre-Engineered Supports
a) Anchor
b) Restraint
c) Support
d) Pick--up Supports
Pick
e) Hanger Rods
f) Shoe Supports
g) Base Supports

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 Pre-
Pre-Engineered Supports (Cont)

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 Pre-
Pre-Engineered Supports (Cont)

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 Engineered Supports
Spring Supports
Snubbers

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 3.0 Spring Hangers

Constant Support
Variable Spring

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 Spring Hangers (Cont)

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 Constant Spring Support
Vertical Constant Spring Support:

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 Constant Spring Support
Horizontal Constant Spring Support:

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 Spring Hangers (Cont)
Up-thrust Constant Spring Support:

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 Variable Spring Hanger

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 Variable Spring Hanger (Cont)

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 Hanger Location and Span

As per MSS SP-

SP-69 Standard:

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Defective Spring Hangers and Cans

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 Defective Spring Hangers and Cans (Cont)

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 Examples of Spring Hangers and Cans (Cont)

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 4.0 Detail of Standard Weight Span

MSS SP 69 Standard:

Lall = (10*Z*
(10*Z*SSall / W) ^0.5 - (Equ.1)
Where:
Lall = Allowable pipe span for weight loading, in
Z = Section Modulus of pipe, in3
Sall = allowable stress of piping material, psi

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 4.0 Detail of Standard Weight Span (Cont)

The MSS SP 69 standard dictates that standard span shall

be applied subject to the following four caveats :

Supports should be located as close as possible to concentrated

weights.
A developed length of of the standard span or less should be
used when the piping run changes direction in the horizontal
plane, in order to minimize the eccentric moments.
The standard span doesnt apply to risers, since no moment (and
thus no stress) develops regardless of the riser length.
However, it is preferable to locate supports above the center of
gravity of long risers in order to prevent toppling (Fall down,
as if collapsing).
Support location should be selected as close to building steel as
possible in order to simplify support configuration.
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 4.2 Good Engineering Practice

Bending Stress through Simple beam relationship:

S = 1.2 (wl2 / Z) - (Equ.2)

Where,
S= maximum bending stress, psi
Z= section modulus, in3
l= pipe span, ft
w= total unit weight, lb/ft
this formula is given in nomographic form in Chart C-16 below.

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 4.3 Deflection
Deflection Criteria:
To minimize pocketing and to avoid sagging.
Limits for Piping Deflection:
Process Piping - to 1
Power Piping - 1/8
Yard Piping or Overland transmission - 1-1/2 or
greater is generally acceptable.

The most important reason for limiting deflection is

to make the pipe stiff enough, (i.e.) of high enough
natural frequency, to avoid large amplitude
response under any slight perturbing force.
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 4.3 Deflection (Cont)

The deflection ( ) for a given span may be approximated

by the beam relation:
= 17.1 (wl4 / EI) - (Equ.3)

Where,
I = moment of inertia, in^4
l = pipe span, ft
= deflection, in
E = modulus of elasticity, psi
w = total unit weight, lb/ft
Chart C
C--17 gives a graphical solution for this equation.
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 5.0 Foundation Settlement

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 5.0 Foundation Settlement (Cont)

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 5.0 Foundation Settlement (Cont)

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 6.0 Effect of Center of Gravity on
Flexibility:

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 8. References:
Design of Piping Systems The M.W. Kellogg
Company
Introduction to Pipe Stress Analysis Sam
Kannappan.. P.E.
Kannappan
Fluor Corporation Stress Analysis Practice
Piping Handbook - Mohinder L. Nayyar
Coade Pipe Stress Analysis Seminar Notes
Piping Technology & Product Inc. Webinar
notes
Practical Guide to ASME B31.3 Woods &
Baguley
Pipe Drafting and Design Roy & Robert
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 ANY QUERIES ????????

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 Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani
1. Introduction:

1.1 The layout and the design of piping and its supporting elements
shall be directed towards preventing the following,

Excessive pipe stresses

Leakage at joints
Excessive thrust and moments on connected equipment such as pumps
and turbines
Excessive stresses in the supporting elements (such as guides and
anchors)
Unintentional disengagement of piping from its supports
Excessive piping sag

1.2 The basic information necessary for proving supports is as follows,

A complete set of piping general arrangement drawings.

A complete set of steel and structural drawings including the
equipment foundation.
A complete set of piping, insulation specification and line list.
A copy of valve and specialty list indicating weights.
The thermal movement of all critical equipment connections such as
turbines, compressors, boilers etc.

1.3 The two cardinal principles in routing lines for economic support,
restraints etc are:

Group pipe lines so as to minimize the number of structures needed

solely for pipe supports or restraints.
Keep lines located close to possible point of supports etc., i.e. either
to grade or to structures.

1.4 The location of supports should consider the following guidelines:

When change of direction in a horizontal plane occurs, it is suggested

that the spacing be limited to 75% of the tabulated values to promote
stability and reduce eccentricity loadings. Note that the supports
 Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani
located directly on elbows are not recommended since that will
stiffen the elbow and no flexibility will be available.
 Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani
The standard span does not apply to vertical run pipes (risers) since
no moment and no stress will develop due to gravity load in the riser.
The support should be located on the upper half of a riser (above
the center of gravity) to prevent instability in overturning of pipe
under its own weight. Guides may be placed on long vertical risers to
reduce pipe sag resulting in excessive pipe deflection.

2. Classification of Pipe Supports:

Hard Supports
Pre-Engineered supports
Engineered Supports

2.1 Hard Supports are the supports on which pipe rests such as Structural
Steel or concrete structures provided by the structural department.

2.2 Pre-Engineered Supports are supports such as base supports, rod

hangers, shoes, guides and anchors.

Anchor:

An anchor is a restraint which fully restraints the pipe (i.e.) in all

degrees of freedom three translation and three rotations.

An anchor is any where these degrees of freedom are restrained it

may be explicitly built for restraint purpose, it may be a by-product of
a connection to an equipment nozzle, or it may be due to construction
practice such as grouting a wall penetration through which the pipe
travels. Drawing for above details are shown below,
 Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani

Restraint:

Any device which prevents, resists, or limits the free thermal

movement of the piping. Restraints may act in more than one degree of
freedom but less than six (which would be anchor). Restraints may be
classified

In terms of their direction - Guide (a restraint in both directions)

applied to a horizontal pipe run also in vertical pipe run.

In terms of their function - Limit stop

A line stop is a restraint, which prevents any axial movements of the

pipe to which it is fitted but at the same time allows unrestricted
travel in any direction at right angles to the axis of the pipe. It also
permits rotation freely in any plane.

In terms of manufacturers hardware Clamp and sway strut assemblies

In terms of built up of structural steels

Fig. 3.95 (Sway Strut) Restraint in single degree of freedom (i.e.) in

two directions
 Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani

Fig 3-96 (a) Restraint in a single degree of freedom (Y) that is in two
directions
Fig 3-96 (b) Restraint in two degrees of freedom (Y & Z) that is in
four directions
Fig 3-96 (c) Restraint in three degrees of freedom (X, Y & Z) that is
in six directions
 Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani

Support:

Supports are those restraints which rigidly resist only in downward

movement of the pipe (i.e.) in only one direction. Examples are resting
on a structure, or with an intervening saddle and Trunnion.

Pick-up Supports:

Pick-ups can be considered if pipe span are not met but the designer
should be aware of the conditions of both the line to be picked-up and
the line picking up because it may act as restraint on either of the lines.
The designer should also consider if its thermal expansion would be in
the same or opposite direction.

It should be noted that piping system with temperature more than

200F are not recommended for pick-ups. Loads caused by the picked
up lines and any extra loads on stress system should also included on
pipe stress analysis.
 Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani
In most piping facilities, structural column spacing in the pipe rack is
25. For large diameter pipe, spanning this distance poses no problem.
Smaller diameter pipes, however, dont have the strength necessary to
span this distance and will sag between supports.

These sags or pockets can become so severe they can prevent

commodity flow. Pick-ups are designed to use the larger pipes to
support the smaller pipes.

Hanger rods:

Hanger rods are used to support lines from above if it is not possible to
support the line from the bottom of the pipe. More often than not,
hanger rods require the approval of stress engineer.

Rigid hangers are normally used at locations where no vertical movement

of the piping occurs.

Pipe clamp material is usually carbon steel for temperatures upto 750
F, and alloy steel for temperature above 750 F. Malleable iron pipe
clamps may be used at temperatures upto 450 F.

Shoe Supports:

Shoe supports are mainly used for the insulated pipes and it is used on
un-insulated pipes, unless required for sloping purposes.

Welding the pipe directly to shoe is not always acceptable, for example,
with rubber-lined pipe bolted or strapped shoes are more suitable.
 Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani
Base Supports:

2.3 Engineered Supports:

Engineered Supports are designed by Stress Engineers for specific

purpose and location such as spring hangers, spring can base supports,
constant support spring hangers snubbers (Hydraulic & Mechanical)
and rigid struts. The piping engineer should inform the stress
engineer for any changes made to piping design.

Snubber:

Due to Snubber internal mechanism, it offers no resistance to slowly

applied loads (i.e.) due to static such as weight or thermal loads, but
locks up and act as a restraint when the loads applied quickly (i.e.) due
to dynamic such as wind or earthquake or fluid hammer etc.
 Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani
Difference between Pipe Hanger and Pipe Supports

Pipe Hangers: Pipe Hangers are generally considered to those metal

elements which carry the weight from above with the supporting
members being mainly in tension.

Pipe Supports: Pipe Supports are considered to those elements which

carry the weight from below with the supporting members being
mainly in compression.

3. Spring Supports:

When a pipe line expands vertically as a result of thermal expansion it is

necessary to provide flexible pipe supports which apply supporting force
throughout the expansion and contraction cycle of the system. Primarily
springs are used to relieve loads on equipment nozzles. Spring hangers are
sized using operating conditions.

There are two types of Spring Supports:

Constant support
Variable spring
 Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani
Variable spring support Variable Hanger

Constant Hanger Load Counter Weight

3.1 Constant Support hangers:

It provides constant supporting force for piping throughout its full

range of vertical expansion and contraction. This is accomplished
through the use of helical coil spring working in conjunction with a bell
crank lever in such a way that the spring force times its distance to
the lever pivot is always equal to the pipe load times its distance to
the lever pivot. Refer Fig. 16 Constant Support hanger.

(i.e.) F x d = P x D
 Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani

Theoretically, a constant support provides a constant force on the

structure so that it does not experience any extra resisting forces
from the support. However, in reality, complete constant load reaction
is not possible. That is why the MSS Standard allows a maximum
tolerance of 6% of the constant load throughout the entire travel
range.
Constant resistance to a moving load is achieved by balancing the
moment of the moving structure by the moment produced by the
force of a compressing/decompressing spring about a common pivot
point.
Because of its constancy in supporting effect the Constant Support
Hanger is used where it is desirable to prevent pipe weight load
transfer to connected equipment or adjacent hangers. They are
generally used for the support of critical piping systems.

3.2 Constant Spring Supports are classified as,

Vertical Constant Spring Supports:

Spring can align vertically and permits movement vertically.
 Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani

Horizontal Constant spring supports:

Spring can align horizontally and permits movement vertically.
 Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani

Up-thrust Constant Spring Supports:

It permits vertical movement only and spring can align vertically or
horizontally.
 Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani

3.3 Variable Spring Hangers:

It is used to support piping subject to vertical movement where

constant supports are not required.
The inherent characteristic of a variable spring is such that its
supporting force varies with spring deflection and spring scale.
Therefore, vertical expansion of the piping causes a corresponding
extension or compression of the spring and will cause a change in the
actual supporting effect on the hanger.
The variation in supporting force is equal to the product of the
amount of vertical expansion and the spring scale of the hanger.
 Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani
Since the pipe weight is the same during any condition, cold or
operating, the variation in supporting force results in pipe weight
transfer to equipment and adjacent hangers and consequently
additional stresses in the piping system.
When variable spring hangers are used, the effect of this variation
must be considered.
Variable spring hangers are recommended for general use on non-
critical piping systems and where vertical movement is of small
magnitude on critical systems.
Accepted practice is to limit the amount of supporting force variation
to 25% for critical system application on horizontal piping.

3.4 The following are the points to be considered by the engineer when
selecting Spring Support types:

Wherever constant support hangers are used, the supporting force

equals the pipe weight throughout its entire expansion cycle, and no
 Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani
pipe weight reactions are imposed at equipment connections and
anchors.
Wherever variable spring hangers are used, the engineer must check
to assure that the total variation in supporting does not result in
harmful stresses and forces within the piping system.
Where piping stresses and reactions are known to be close to
allowable, the simplest and, in the long run, most economical type of
flexible support is obviously the constant support hanger.
Where piping system and end reactions are known to be low, variable
spring hangers can be used satisfactorily for most non-critical piping
support and for the support of critical systems where vertical
movements are of small magnitude.

3.5 Hanger Location & Span

 Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani

Support locations are dependent on pipe size, piping configuration, the

location of heavy valves and fittings, and the structure that is available for
the support of the piping. No firm rules or limits exist which will positively
fix the location of each support on a piping system. Instead, the engineer
must exercise his own judgment in each case to determine the appropriate
hanger location.

When practical, a hanger should be located immediately adjacent to any

change in direction of the piping.

The spans in table below are in accordance with MSS Standard Practice
SP-69.

3.6 Defective Spring Hangers and Cans

Corroded cans should be replaced

Cans are not supporting load

 Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani

No load indicator
 Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani

Set the load indicator to the desired setting (Cold/hot load)

Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani
 Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani
3.7 The following are the points to be considered by the engineer when
selecting flexible hanger types:

Wherever constant support hangers are used, the supporting force

equals the pipe weight throughout its entire expansion cycle, and no
pipe weight reactions are imposed at equipment connections and
anchors.
Wherever variable spring hangers are used, the engineer must check
to assure that the total variation in supporting does not result in
harmful stresses and forces within the piping system.
Where piping stresses and reactions are known to be close to
allowable, the simplest and, in the long run, most economical type of
flexible support is obviously the constant support hanger.
Where piping system and end reactions are known to be low, variable
spring hangers can be used satisfactorily for most non-critical piping
support and for the support of critical systems where vertical
movements are of small magnitude.

4. Detail of Standard Weight Span:

4.1 MSS SP 69 Standard:

Lall = (10*Z*Sall / W) ^0.5 - (Equ.1)

Where:
Lall = Allowable pipe span for weight loading, in
Z = Section Modulus of pipe, in3
Sall = allowable stress of piping material

Allowable piping spans for various piping configurations shall be

followed as per MSS SP 69 standard. This standard calculates the
maximum allowable piping spans based on the following criteria:

The pipe is assumed to have standard wall, with insulation

The maximum moment is calculated as Mmax = wl2/10
No concentrated loads are present
 Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani
There are no changes in direction in the spans, which are assumed run
in the horizontal plane
The maximum allowable stress is assumed to be 1500 psi, combined
and shear
Maximum deflection of the span under load is limited to 0.1
SIF of components are not considered

The MSS SP 69 standard dictates that standard span shall be

applied subject to the following four caveats (Synonym: A warning
against certain acts):

Supports should be located as close as possible to concentrated

weights.
A developed length of of the standard span or less should be used
when the piping run changes direction in the horizontal plane, in order
to minimize the eccentric moments.
The standard span doesnt apply to risers, since no moment (and thus
no stress) develops regardless of the riser length. However, it is
preferable to locate supports above the center of gravity of long
risers in order to prevent toppling (Fall down, as if collapsing).
Support location should be selected as close to building steel as
possible in order to simplify support configuration.

4.2 Good Engineering Practice (Kellogg Book)

Allowable spans for horizontal lines are principally influenced by

the need to:

Keep stresses within suitable limits

Limit deflections (Sagging), if necessary for:
o appearance
o avoiding pockets
o avoiding interferences
Control natural frequency (usually by limiting the span) so as to avoid
undesirable vibration.

In most cases, an adequate estimate of the stress is readily obtained

from the simple beam relationship:
 Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani

S = 1.2 (wl2 / Z) - (Equ.2)

Where,
S = maximum bending stress, psi
Z = section modulus, in3
l= pipe span, ft
w = total unit weight, lb/ft

For convenience this formula is given in nomographic form in Chart C-

16 below. It is based on a maximum moment of M = wl2/10, and
represent a compromise between M = wl2/10 for a beam with fixed
ends and M = wl2/10 for a free-ended beam, as representative of
average runs.

Major concentrated loads such as valves, pipe risers, branches,

flanges etc, should be at or near a point of support. The effect of
significant concentrated loads, not located at supports, may be
approximated from Equ.2, by multiplying the stress by the factor
(2P/wl) where P is the concentrated loads in pounds.
Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani
 Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani

4.3 Deflection:

Considering the limiting weight stress as the only criterion is not

sufficient. Deflection under weight effects must also be considered
for the analysis of Process unit piping and it should be kept under
reasonable bounds in order to minimize pocketing and to avoid sagging.

A practical limit for average piping in process units is a deflection on

the order of to 1. For Power piping a deflection limit as small as
1/8 is accepted. For piping in yard or for overland transmission lines a
value of 1 or greater is generally acceptable.
 Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani

The most important reason for limiting deflection is to make the pipe
stiff enough, (i.e.) of high enough natural frequency, to avoid large
amplitude response under any slight perturbing force. As a rough rule,
for average piping a natural frequency of 4 cycles per second will be
found reasonably satisfactory.

For pulsating lines from compressors values of 8 cycles per second or

higher may be desirable depending on the characteristic of the
compressor.

The deflection ( ) for a given span may be approximated by the beam

relation:

= 17.1 (wl4 / EI) - (Equ.3)

Where,

I = moment of inertia, in^4

l = pipe span, ft
= deflection, in
E = modulus of elasticity, psi
w = total unit weight, lb/ft

Chart C-17 gives a graphical solution for this equation. It is also based
on the maximum moment of M = wl2/10.
Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani
 Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani
5. Foundation Settlement:

Proper alignment of piping at pumps is critical. Foundations can settle

(actually, sinking into the ground). To avoid excessive forces, pipe supports
generally will be tied into the pump foundation or springs will be used.

When valves are located directly above a nozzle, springs are often used to
reduce the loads on the pumps. Pumps should be located where they can
easily supported, usually, under or near the edge of a pipeway.
Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani
 Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani

6. Effect of Center of Gravity on Flexibility:

(Refer figure fig. 3.17 below)

 Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani

Consider a simple two anchor piping layout and draw a line of thrust
connecting the two anchors. Estimate the center of gravity. Flexibility is
increased when the added pipe moves the center of gravity away from the
line of thrust. The L shaped layout has a maximum expansion stress of
24,445 psi. The Z shaped has 42,594 psi. A closer look of the figure,
resolves that the L shaped moved the C.G away from the line of thrust which
produces lower stress and greater flexibility even though the Z shape had
one more elbow.
Seminar on Pipe Support Basics G.Palani