Saes M 001

Engineering Standard 30 May 2022
SAES-M-001
Structural Design Criteria for Non-Building Structures
Document Responsibility: Onshore Structures Standards Committee
Previous Revision: 19 November 2020 Next Revision: 30 May 2027

Contact: DORWARSG Page 1 of 39
© Saudi Arabian Oil Company 2022
Saudi Aramco: Company General Use
Document Responsibility: Onshore Structures Standards Committee SAES-M-001
Issue Date: 30 May 2022
Next Revision: 30 May 2027 Structural Design Criteria for Non-Building Structures
Contents
SUMMARY OF CHANGES ........................................................................................... 3

1 SCOPE.................................................................................................................... 4
2 CONFLICTS AND DEVIATIONS ............................................................................. 4
3 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................ 4
3.1 SAUDI ARAMCO REFERENCES ............................................................................... 4
3.2 INDUSTRY CODES AND STANDARDS ....................................................................... 6
4 TERMINOLOGY ...................................................................................................... 8
4.1 DEFINITIONS ........................................................................................................ 8
5 DESIGN REFERENCES ......................................................................................... 8
6 DESIGN LOADS ..................................................................................................... 9
7 LOAD COMBINATIONS ........................................................................................ 25
8 STRUCTURAL DESIGN ....................................................................................... 39
9 STRUCTURAL DESIGN CRITERIA FOR EXISTING STRUCTURES .................. 47
10 FABRICATION AND INSTALLATION ................................................................ 47
11 INSPECTION AND TESTING ............................................................................ 47
DOCUMENT HISTORY............................................................................................... 48
© Saudi Arabian Oil Company, 2022 Page 2 of 48

Summary of Changes
Paragraph Number Change Type

Technical Change(s)
(Addition, Modification,
Previous Revision Current Revision Deletion, New)
(19 November 2020) (30 May 2022)
N/A 4 Addition Added Definitions section
5.1 6.10 Modification Moved dynamic loading to its

own section and out of
general.
5.2.5.1 6.2.6.1 Modification Increase pipe load from 1.9

kPa to 2.5 kPa (basis in PIP
Structural Design Criteria)
reflecting that the majority pipe
racks in Aramco Facilities are
heavy pipe rack.
5.7 6.7 Modification Revised thermal load section

to align with the 2017 Process
Industry Practices document.
5.1.8 6.10.3a Modification Changed vibration velocity

limit for structures to 10 mm/s
to align with DIN 4150-3,
SABP-M-010 and SABP-G-
026
N/A 8.6.5 Addition Added requirement for outdoor

cranes to be equipped with
latching device for stowing.
3.2 3.2 Modification ASTM F3125/3125M has

replaced ASTM A325/A325M
and ASTM A490/A490M which
have been withdrawn.
5.1.12 6.10.5 Modification Removed reference to

proprietary software.
N/A 6.2.4 Addition Added section to clarify

equipment/platform structural
dead loads which was not
included in previous revision.
6.2 7.2 Modification Tables 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are

updated for alignment to
SAES-M-301 and PIP
STC01015-17

1 Scope
This standard covers the mandatory minimum requirements governing the

structural design of all onshore facilities except buildings, pre-engineered
buildings, blast resistant buildings, communication towers, and offshore
structures.
Notes:
Buildings are covered by SAES-M-100, “Saudi Aramco Building Code.”
Pre-engineered buildings are covered by 12-SAMSS-014, “Pre-Engineered Metal

Buildings”..
Blast resistant buildings are covered by SAES-M-009, “Design Criteria for Blast Resistant
Buildings”.
Communication towers are covered by SAES-T-744, "Design Criteria and Installation of

Communication Towers".
Offshore structures are covered by SAES-M-005, "Design and Construction of Fixed

Offshore Platforms”.
2 Conflicts and Deviations
Any conflicts between this document and other applicable Mandatory Saudi
Aramco Engineering Requirements (MSAERs) shall be addressed to the
EK&RD Coordinator.
Any deviation from the requirements herein shall follow internal company
procedure SAEP-302.
3 References
All referenced specifications, standards, codes, drawings, and similar material
are considered part of this engineering standard to the extent specified,
applying the latest version, unless otherwise stated.
3.1 Saudi Aramco References
Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedures

SAEP-302 Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a Mandatory
Saudi Aramco Engineering Requirement
SAEP-1142 Qualification of Non-Saudi Aramco NDT Personnel
Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards

SAES-A-112 Meteorological and Seismic Design Data
SAES-A-204 Preparation of Structural Calculations
SAES-B-006 Fireproofing for Plants

SAES-B-054 Access, Egress, and Material Handling for Plant

Facilities
SAES-B-055 Plant Layout
SAES-L-440 Anchors for Buried Pipelines
SAES-M-100 Saudi Aramco Building Code
SAES-M-301 The Saudi Aramco Building Code for Structural
Loading and Forces
SAES-M-306 The Saudi Aramco Building Code for Steel Structures
SAES-Q-001 Criteria for Design and Construction of Concrete
Structures
SAES-Q-005 Concrete Foundations
SAES-Q-006 Asphalt and Sulfur Extended Asphalt Concrete Paving
SAES-Q-007 Foundations and Supporting Structures for Heavy
Machinery
SAES-Q-009 Concrete Retaining Walls
SAES-Q-010 Cement Based, Non-Shrink Grout for Structural and
Equipment Grouting
SAES-Q-011 Epoxy Grout for Machinery Support
SAES-Q-012 Criteria for Design and Construction of Precast and
Prestressed Concrete Structures
SAES-Q-304 Saudi Aramco Building Code for Concrete Structures
SAES-Q-305 Saudi Aramco Building Code for Masonry Structures
Saudi Aramco Materials System Specifications

09-SAMSS-097 Ready-Mixed Concrete
12-SAMSS-007 Fabrication of Structural and Miscellaneous Steel
12-SAMSS-008 Erection of Structural and Miscellaneous Steel
Saudi Aramco Standard Drawings

SASD AA-036322-001 Anchor Bolt Details - Inch and Metric Sizes
(Rev. 08 or later)
SASD AD-036711-001 Concrete Fireproofing for Structural Members
Saudi Aramco Best Practice

SABP-M-006 Wind Loads on Pipe Racks and Open Frame
Structures
SABP-M-010 Dynamic Analysis of Above Ground Structures

Saudi Aramco Engineering Reports

SAER-5659 Guidelines for Setting Acceptable, Alarm, and
Shutdown Vibration Limits
3.2 Industry Codes and Standards
American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

AASHTO HB Specifications for Highway Bridges
American Concrete Institute (ACI)

ACI 350 Code Requirements for Environmental Engineering
Concrete Structures
American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)

AISC/RCSC Specification for Structural Joints Using
ASTM A325 or ASTM A490 Bolts
ANSI/AISC 341 Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings
AISC 358-10 Pre-Qualified Connections for Special and Intermediate
Steel Moment Frames for Seismic Applications,
Including Supplement No. 1 and Supplement No. 2,
Chapter 10
American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI)

AISI S100 North American Specification for the Design of Cold-
Formed Steel Structural Members
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

ANSI ASC A14.3 Ladders – Fixed – Safety Requirements
ANSI/ASSE A1264.1 Safety Requirements for Workplace Walking/Working
Surfaces and Their Access
American Petroleum Institute (API)

API STD 650 Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

ASCE/SEI 7-10 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other
Structures
SEI/ASCE 37-02 Design Loads on Structures during Construction
ASCE - Report Guidelines for Seismic Evaluation and Design of
Petrochemical Facilities
ASCE - Report Wind Loads for Petrochemical and Other Industrial
Facilities

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

ASME A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

ASTM A307 Standard Specification for Carbon Steel Bolts and
Studs, 60,000 psi Tensile Strength (Metric)
ASTM F3125/3125M Standard Specification for High Strength Structural
Bolts, Steel and Alloy Steel, Heat Treated, 120 ksi (830
MPa) and 150 ksi (1040 MPa) Minimum Tensile
Strength, Inch and Metric Dimensions
The American Welding Society (AWS)

AWS D1.1/ D1.1M Structural Welding Code - Steel
AWS D1.8/D1.8M Structural Welding Code - Seismic Supplement (2009)
Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA)

Spec #70 Specifications for Top Running Bridge and Gantry Type
Multiple Girder Electric Overhead Traveling Cranes
Spec #74 Specifications for Top Running and Under Running
Single Girder Electrical Overhead Cranes Utilizing
under Running Trolley Hoist
Energy Institute
Guidelines for the Avoidance of Vibration Induced Fatigue Failure in
Process Pipework-2nd Edition
Precast / Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI)

PCI - MNL 120 Design Handbook, Precast and Prestressed Concrete
PCI - MNL 122 Architectural Precast Concrete
Steel Deck Institute (SDI)

Design Manual for Composite Decks, Form Decks, and Roof Decks - No. 31
Steel Joist Institute (SJI)

Standard Specifications and Load Tables for Steel Joists and Joist Girders
Federal Standards and Instructions of the Occupational Safety and Health

Administration (OSHA 1910), including any requirements by Saudi Aramco
Standards O-Series, Safety and Security Standards.
US Department of Labor, Occupational Safety, and health Administration (OSHA)

OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Safety and Health Regulations for Construction

4 Terminology
4.1 Definitions
Allowable Stress Design: Method of proportioning structural members such

that elastically computed stresses produced in the members by nominal loads
do not exceed specified allowable stresses (also called working stress design).
Importance Factor: A factor that accounts for the degree of risk to human life,
health, and welfare associated with damage to property or loss of use of
functionality.
Loads: Forces or other actions that result from the weight of all building
materials, occupants, and their possessions, environmental effects, differential
movement, and restrained dimensional changes. Permanent loads are loads in
which variations over time are rare or of small magnitude. All other loads are
variable loads.
Nominal Loads: Loads specified in this engineering standard such as dead,

live, wind, seismic.
Risk Category: A categorization of a structure for the determination of wind

and seismic loads based on the risk associated with unacceptable performance.
Strength Design: A method of proportioning structural members such that the

computed forces produced in the members by the factored loads do not exceed
the member design strength (also called Load and Resistant Factor Design).
5 Design References
SAES-A-112 shall be used for determining the temperature variance, wind

loads, and the earthquake seismic acceleration values to be used for design.
SAES-B-006 shall be used to determine fireproofing requirements for steel

structures in hydrocarbon processing plants or outside plant plot limits where
flammable materials are present. The dead load due to structural fireproofing
shall be included in the design, where applicable.
SAES-B-054 shall be used to provide for safe means of access and
maintenance in the layout and design of structures.
SAES-B-055 shall be used to provide for minimum horizontal and vertical

spacing or clearance requirements of structures.
SAES-L-440 shall be used for the design of reinforced concrete or structural

steel anchors used on buried pipelines.
SAES-Q-007 shall be used for design of supporting structures for dynamic

equipment.

SAES-Q-010 shall be the basis for the selection of cement based, non-shrink
grout for use in equipment grouting and various structural applications.
SAES-Q-011 shall be the basis used for the design and installation of epoxy
grout.
12-SAMSS-007 and 12-SAMSS-008 cover the requirements fabrication and

erection of structural steel. Structural steel shapes other than those specified in
the AISC Steel Construction Manual may be used if they meet the material
equivalency requirements of 12-SAMSS-007 Appendix 1.
SASD AD-036711 shall be used for detailing and inclusion in procurement and
installation documentation as the minimum fireproofing requirements for
structural steel structures or portions of structures identified in accordance with
SAES-B-006.
SAES-M-306 shall be the basis for the design, fabrication, and erection of steel
structures.
AISI S100 North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel
Structural Members shall be used as the basis of design for cold-formed steel
structures.
CMAA Spec #70 and CMAA Spec #74 shall be the basis for the design of the
supports for traveling cranes.
AASHTO Specification for Highway Bridges shall be used for minimum design
requirements for structural steel and reinforced concrete bridges, culverts and
pipeline crossing.
ANSI/ASSE A1264.1 shall be used for design requirements related to

platforms, walkways, stairs, guard rails, and toe boards.
ANSI ASC A14.3 shall be used for the design requirements related to fixed
ladders.
SAES-M-301 shall be used for minimum design load requirements.
6 Design Loads
6.1 General
6.1.1 New facilities, and other structures, including floor slabs and
foundations, shall be designed to resist the minimum loads defined in
SAES-M-301, and this section. The design shall be adequate for the
structure's intended use in accordance with commonly accepted
engineering practice.
6.1.2 In addition to the loads in this section, other loads shall be considered
as appropriate. These loads shall include, but are not limited to, snow,

ice, rain, hydrostatic, dynamic, upset conditions, earth pressure,

vehicles, buoyancy, and erection.
6.1.3 Loads associated with transportation and lifting of modular structures

shall also be considered as appropriate.
6.1.4 Future loads shall be considered when specified in the project

specifications or by Saudi Aramco.
6.1.5 For existing facilities, actual loads may be used in lieu of the minimum
specified loads.
6.1.6 Eccentric loads (piping, platforms, etc.) shall be considered.

This particularly applies to horizontal and vertical vessels and
exchangers.
6.2 Dead Loads (D)
6.2.1 Dead loads are the actual weight of materials forming the structure,
foundation, and all permanently attached appurtenances including
fireproofing.
Note:
SAES-B-006, "Fireproofing for Plants”, is used to determine fireproofing

requirements for steel structures. Standard Drawing AD-036711 details the
minimum normal weight concrete cover that will provide the protection
required by SAES-B-006. The use of normal weight concrete fireproofing
may result in a significant increase in the structural member size because
of additional dead load and wind exposure area but normally is the least
expensive fireproofing material. In some instances, the use of lightweight
concrete or other fireproofing materials may be more cost-effective and
should be evaluated in cooperation with the Loss Prevention Department.
6.2.2 Weights of fixed process equipment and machinery, piping, valves,

electrical cable trays, and the contents of these items shall be
considered as dead loads.
6.2.3 For this Practice, dead loads are designated by the following
nomenclature:
Ds, Df, De, Do, and Dt, where:
Ds = Structure dead load is the weight of materials forming the

structure, foundation, soil above the foundation resisting
uplift, and all permanently attached appurtenances (e.g.,
lighting, instrumentation, HVAC, sprinkler and deluge
systems, fireproofing, and insulation, etc.). Ds does not
include the empty weight of process equipment, vessels,
piping, or cable trays which are covered below.

Df = The erection dead load of process equipment or vessels

(as further defined in Section 6.2.4.1).
De = Empty dead load is the empty weight of process
equipment, vessels, tanks, piping, and cable tray (as
further defined in Sections 5.2.4 through 5.2.6).
Do = Operating dead load is the empty weight of process
equipment, vessels, tanks, piping, and cable trays plus the
maximum weight of contents (fluid load) during normal
operation
(as further defined in sections 5.2.4 through 5.2.6).
Dt = Test dead load is the empty weight of process equipment
or vessels, and/or piping plus the weight of the test medium
contained in the system (as further defined in Section
5.2.4.4).
6.2.4 Equipment/Platform Structure Dead Loads
6.2.4.1 In addition to primary loads for the structural steel, fireproofing,

major equipment and large bore piping, dead loads on
equipment/platform structures shall be included to account for
grating, checkered plate, concrete decking, guard systems,
ladders and cages, small equipment, piping, electrical
conduits, lighting and other miscellaneous items.
6.2.4.2 Unless more determinate load information is available and

requires otherwise, dead loads for the following items shall be
estimated as follows:
Uniformly distributed loads for grating and checkered plate

(Ds).
Grating: 0.44 kN/m2 (9.1 psf) for 32mm x 5mm plain

grating
Checkered Plate: 0.54 kN/m2 (11.25 psf) for 6mm

checkered plate
Guard systems, ladders and cages (Ds).
Angle Guard Systems with Toe Plate: 0.22 kN/m of guard

length (L63X63X6)
Pipe Guard Systems with Toe Plate: 0.16 kN/m of guard

length (38mm dia)
Ladders with Cages: 0.44 kN/m of ladder length

Ladders without Cages: 0.16 kN/m of ladder length
6.2.4.3 Empty dead load (De) for small equipment, piping, electrical
conduits, lighting and other miscellaneous items:
For checking uplift and components controlled by minimum

loading, a uniformly distributed load of 0 kN/m2 to 1 kN/m2 as
determined by engineering judgement for the load
combinations that include wind load or earthquake load.
6.2.4.4 Operating dead load (Do) for small equipment, piping, electrical
conduits, lighting and other miscellaneous items:
A uniformly distributed load of 0.5 kN/m2 to 1.5 kN/m2 as

determined by engineering judgement.
6.2.5 Process Equipment and Vessel Dead Loads
6.2.5.1 Erection dead load (Df) for process equipment is normally the
fabricated weight and is generally taken from the certified
equipment or vessel drawing.
6.2.5.2 Empty dead load (De) for process equipment and vessels is
the empty weight of the equipment or vessels, including all
attachments, trays, internals, insulation, fireproofing, agitators,
piping, ladders, platforms, etc. Empty dead load also includes
weight of machinery (e.g., pumps, compressors, turbines, and
packaged units).
6.2.5.3 Operating dead load (Do) for process equipment and vessels
is the empty dead load plus the maximum weight of contents
(including packing/catalyst) during normal operation.
6.2.5.4 Test dead load (Dt) for process equipment and vessels is the
empty dead load plus the weight of test medium contained in
the system. Test medium shall be as specified in the contract
documents or by Saudi Aramco. Unless otherwise specified, a
minimum specific gravity of 1.0 shall be used for the test
medium. Equipment and pipes that may be simultaneously
tested shall be included. Cleaning load shall be used for test
dead load if the cleaning fluid is heavier than the test medium.
6.2.5.5 For major equipment, the manufacturer's certified equipment

loads shall be used in the design.

6.2.6 Pipe Rack Piping Loads
Piping loads on pipe racks shall be considered dead loads and shall be
estimated as follows, unless actual load information is available and
warrant otherwise:
6.2.6.1 Operating Dead Load (Do): A uniformly distributed load of 2.5

kPa (52.5 psf) for piping, product, and insulation.
6.2.6.2 Empty Dead Load (De): For checking uplift and components
controlled by minimum loading, 60% of the estimated piping
operating loads shall be used if combined with wind or
earthquake unless the actual conditions require a different
percentage. Empty dead load shall not be included for
unutilized portions of piping levels.
6.2.6.3 Test Dead Load (Dt) is the empty weight of the pipe (De) plus
the weight of test medium contained in a set of simultaneously
tested piping systems. The test medium shall be as specified
in the contract documents or as specified by Saudi Aramco.
Unless otherwise specified, a minimum specific gravity of 1.0
shall be used for the test medium.
Note:
Large vapor lines may require hydrotesting. If so, it may be possible to

test them one at a time while the other lines on the support are empty
and thus avoid the heavy pipe support loading. When such procedures
are used, special notes should be placed on the structural and piping
drawings to specify test procedures. Small vapor lines are normally
considered filled with water.
6.2.6.4 For any pipe larger than 304 mm (12 inch) diameter, an
additional uniform or concentrated load, including the weight of
piping, product, valves, fittings, and insulation shall be used for
dead load not included in the regular uniformly distributed
piping loads specified in Section 6.2.5.1 through 6.2.5.3.
6.2.6.5 Pipe racks and their foundations shall be designed to support

loads associated with full utilization of the available space on
piping levels and any specified future piping level expansion.
6.2.7 Pipe Rack Cable Tray Loads
Dead loads for cable trays on pipe racks shall be estimated as follows,
unless actual load information is available:
6.2.7.1 Operating Dead Load (Do): A uniformly distributed dead load

of 1.0 kPa (20 psf) for a single level of cable trays and 1.9 kPa
(40 psf) for a double level of cable trays.

Note:
These values estimate the full (maximum) level of cables in the trays.
6.2.7.2 Empty Dead Load (De): For checking uplift and components
controlled by minimum loading, a reduced level of cable tray
load should be considered as the empty dead load. This load
shall approximate the actual tray loading rather than the
maximum loading used for Do. Empty dead load shall not be
included for unutilized portions of cable tray levels.
6.2.7.3 Pipe racks and their foundations shall be designed to support

loads associated with full utilization of the available space on
cable tray levels and any specified future cable tray level
expansion.
6.2.8 Ground Supported Storage Tank Loads
Dead loads for ground supported storage tanks are shown using the
same nomenclature as other dead loads in this document for
consistency.
The individual load components making up the dead loads may have to
be separated for actual use in design in accordance with the following
considerations:
6.2.8.1 Operating Dead Load (Do): Operating dead load for a ground
supported storage tank consists of the weight of the tank shell,
roof, insulation, platforms, piping, and attachments vertically
applied through the wall of the tank in addition to the fluid load
from the stored product. The fluid load shall be applied
directly to the floor of the tank rather than through the shell.
6.2.8.2 Empty Dead Load (De): Empty dead load consists of the
weight of the tank shell, roof, insulation, platforms, piping and
attachments applied through the tank shell only. For checking
uplift and components controlled by minimum loading, the
corroded metal weight (for metal tanks), if a corrosion
allowance is specified, shall be considered for empty dead
load.
6.2.8.3 Test Dead Load (Dt): Test dead load for a ground-supported
storage tank consists of the weight of the tank shell, roof,
insulation, platforms, piping, and attachments vertically applied
through the wall of the tank in addition to the fluid load from
the test medium. The fluid load from the test medium shall be
applied directly to the floor of the tank rather than through the
shell. The test medium shall be as specified in the contract
documents or as specified by Saudi Aramco. Unless

otherwise specified, a minimum specific gravity of 1.0 shall be

used for the test medium.
6.3 Live Loads (L)
6.3.1 Live loads are those gravity loads produced by the use and occupancy
of the structure. These include the weight of all movable loads, such as
personnel, tools, miscellaneous equipment, wheel loads, parts of
dismantled equipment, stored material, etc.
6.3.2 Areas for maintenance use (i.e., heat exchanger tube bundle servicing)
shall be designed to support these loads.
6.3.3 Areas of floors that support mechanical equipment shall be designed to

include loads that may be produced during maintenance by workers,
equipment, and material.
6.3.4 Maintenance loads are temporary forces caused by dismantling, repair

or painting of equipment. They shall be considered in load
combinations as live loads.
6.3.5 Minimum live loads shall be in accordance with SAES-M-301, applicable

codes, standards, and, unless otherwise specified, in Table 1 below.
Table 1 - Minimum Live Loads

Uniform** Concentrated
**
Stairs and Exit ways 4.8 kPa (100 psf) 4.5 kN (1,000 lb)
Operating, Access Platforms,
3.0 kPa (60 psf) 4.5 kN (1,000 lb)
and Walkways
Control, I/O, HVAC Room Floors 4.8 kPa (100 psf) 4.5 kN (1,000 lb)
Manufacturing - Light 6.0 kPa (125 psf) 9.0 kN (2,000 lb)
Manufacturing - Heavy 12.0 kPa (250 psf) 13.5 kN (3,000 lb)
Ground Supported Storage
1.2 kPa (25 psf) NA
Tank Roof
**The loads provided in this table are to be used unless noted otherwise in
the contract documents.
6.3.6 Uniform and concentrated live loads listed in Table 1 need not be
applied simultaneously.
6.3.7 Concentrated loads shall be assumed to be uniformly distributed over

an area of 762 mm x 762mm (2.5 ft x 2.5 ft), and shall be located so as
to produce the maximum load effects in the structural members.
6.3.8 Live loads for stair and stair treads shall be in accordance with SAES-
M-301.

6.3.9 Live loads reductions shall be as permitted by SAES-M-301. For

manufacturing floor areas not used for storage, the uniform live load
reduction permitted by SAES-M-301 for lower live loads may be used.
6.3.10 Live loads on fixed ladders shall be per SAES-M-301.
6.3.11 Live loads on handrail and guardrail for process equipment structures
shall be per SAES-M-301.
6.3.12 Live loads for cranes shall be in accordance with SAES-M-301.
6.4 Wind Loads (W, Wp)
6.4.1 Wind loads shall be computed and applied in accordance with SAES-
M-301 as applicable and the recommended guidelines in ASCE's Wind
Loads for Petrochemical Facilities and Other Industrial Facilities.
Note:
ASCE 7 Methods 1 and 2 are limited to regular-shaped buildings,

structures, sites and structural components that do not have response
characteristics subjecting them to channeling effects, across-wind loading,
vortex shedding, or instability due to galloping or flutter. The structural
designer is required by ASCE 7 to consider and design for these wind
effects where applicable by using internationally recognized literature,
applying recognized analysis methods or by applying ASCE 7 Method 3
(Wind Tunnel Procedure). An example of a recognized analysis method is
the AIJ 1982 Code which provides design criteria to avoid vortex-induced
vibration in individual truss tower members.
6.4.2 The basic wind speed V for each site is defined in SAES-A-112,
Meteorological and Seismic Design Data.
6.4.3 The Importance Factor I used to compute wind pressures shall be

based on SAES-M-301 as amended below:
a) Car sunshades shall use Occupancy Category I (I = 0.87)
b) All structures within facilities that manufacture, process, handle,
store, process, use, or dispose of toxic or explosive substances
shall use Occupancy Category IV (I = 1.15)
6.4.4 Exposure Category C shall be used, except for structures close to the
shoreline, as defined in SAES-M-301, where Exposure Category D
shall be used. The Exposure category for each site is defined in
SAES-A-112, Meteorological and Seismic Design Data.
Note:
For detailed wind load calculations on pipe racks, refer to the

guidelines specified in Saudi Aramco Best Practice SABP-M-006 "Wind
Loads on Pipe Racks and Open Frame Structures".

6.4.5 The full design wind load shall be used when calculating wind drift (see
Section 7.7).
6.4.6 Partial Wind Load (Wp) shall be based on the requirements of

SEI/ASCE 37, Section 6.2.1, for the specified test or erection duration.
The design wind speed shall be 0.75 multiplied by the Basic Wind
Velocity according to SEI/ASCE 37 for test or erection periods of less
than 6 weeks. For test or erection periods longer the 6 weeks refer to
SEI/ASCE 37.
6.5 Earthquake Loads (E)
6.5.1 Except for API STD 650 ground-supported storage tanks,

earthquake loads shall be computed and applied in accordance
with SAES-M-301.
Note:
The earthquake loads in ASCE/SEI 7 are limit state earthquake loads,

and this should be taken into account if using allowable stress design
methods or applying load factors from other codes. Earthquake loads for
API STD 650 storage tanks are allowable stress design loads. ASCE
“Guidelines for Seismic Evaluation and Design of Petrochemical
Facilities” may also be used as a general reference for seismic design.
6.5.2 Seismic accelerations and site soil coefficient shall be determined in

accordance with SAES-A-112, Meteorological and Seismic Design
Data. All plant area structures shall be considered essential facilities.
6.5.3 Earthquake loading shall be determined using SAES-M-301 for non-

building structures. Nonbuilding structures include but are not limited
to elevated tanks or vessels, stacks, pipe racks, and cooling towers.
6.5.4 The Importance Factor I used to compute seismic design forces shall
be based on SAES-M-301 except as amended below:
All structures within facilities that manufacture, process, handle, store,
process, use, or dispose of toxic or explosive substances shall use
Occupancy Category IV (I = 1.50)
6.5.5 For the load combinations in Section 4.2 the following designations are
used:
Eo = Earthquake load considering the operating load case
Ee = Earthquake load considering the empty load case

6.6 Impact Loads
6.6.1 An impact load shall be defined as an equivalent static load that

conservatively approximates the dynamic effect of reciprocating
machinery, rotating machinery, or a moving load. Impact and hoist
loads shall be considered to be live loads. Impact loads shall be per
SAES-M-301, and as amended in paragraphs 6.6.2 through 6.6.5.
6.6.2 Crane beams, support brackets and connections shall be designed for
impact load. Impact factors shall be as listed below or in vendor
provided criteria, whichever is greater:
a) To account for impact, the maximum vertical wheel load shall
be increased as follows:
Gantry and bridge crane supports 25%
Monorail supports and underhung cranes 25%
Davits, jib cranes 25%
b) Transverse impact shall be as follows:
Crane-way 20% of the rated load capacity of the crane and
the weight of the hoist and trolley. The lateral
force shall be assumed to act horizontally at the
traction surface of the runway beam, in either
direction perpendicular to the beam, and shall be
distributed with due regard to the lateral stiffness
of the runway beam and supporting structure.
Davits 20% of the lifted loads
c) Longitudinal impact shall be as follows:
Crane-way 10% of the maximum wheel load applied at the
top of the runway
Monorails 10% of the lifted load, hoist and trolley
Davits 10% of the lifted load
6.6.3 Lifting lugs or pad eyes and internal members (included both end
connections) framing into the joint where the lifting lug or pad eye is
located shall be designed for 100% impact.
6.6.4 All other structural members transmitting lifting forces shall be designed
for 15% impact.
6.6.5 Allowable stresses shall not be increased when combining impact with
dead load.

6.7 Thermal / Self-Straining Loads (T)
6.7.1 Thermal (and/or self-straining) loads shall be designated as either

sustained (Ts) or temporary (Tt).
6.7.2 Sustained thermal (and/or self-straining) loads (Ts) include:
a) Pipe anchor and guide forces caused by restrained dimensional
changes caused by thermal expansion or contraction of piping
under normal operating conditions (e.g., loads from a pipe stress
analysis).
b) Restrained dimensional changes caused by thermal expansion
or contraction of vertical vessels, horizontal vessels, or heat
exchangers under normal operating conditions.
c) Forces on vertical vessels, horizontal vessels, or heat
exchangers caused by restrained dimensional changes caused
by thermal expansion or contraction of piping attached to the
vessel or exchanger under normal operating conditions.
d) Restrained dimensional changes caused by thermal expansion
or contraction of structural steel members in pipe racks or
structures caused by sustained change in ambient temperature.
e) Restrained dimensional changes in concrete caused by

moisture, shrinkage, creep, and similar effects.
f) Differential settlement of foundations.
6.7.3 Temporary thermal (and/or self-straining) loads (Tt) include:
a) Friction forces caused by the sliding of pipes on their supports

caused by thermal expansion or contraction during startup or
shutdown of piping systems.
b) Friction forces caused by the sliding of heat exchangers or

horizontal vessels on their supports, caused by thermal expansion
or contraction during startup or shutdown of equipment.
c) Thermal loads and displacements caused by differential

temperatures between steel on one side of a structure exposed to
sunlight and steel on the other side of the structure that is shaded.
6.7.4 Thermal loads and displacements shall be calculated as follows:
a) Loads and displacements shall be based on the difference

between ambient temperature or equipment design temperature
and installed temperature.

b) Ambient temperature shall be taken as the minimum ambient

temperature or maximum ambient temperature as applicable to
account for controlling effects of contraction or expansion.
c) To account for the significant increase in temperatures of steel

exposed to sunlight, a minimum additional 20 degrees Celsius (35
F) shall be added to the maximum ambient temperature.
Notes:
Unless specified otherwise in the contract documents, the installed

temperature can be assumed to be 85°F (30°C).
Ambient temperature is the maximum and minimum recorded

temperature for the location as given in SAES-A-112.
6.7.5 The thermal (and/or self-straining) load caused by thermal expansion

or contraction of horizontal vessels or exchangers (Ts or Tt) to be used
for design of vessel or exchanger supports or foundations shall be the
lesser of the following:
a) The force required to deflect the support or foundation pier an

amount equal to half of the thermal growth between the
exchanger or vessel saddles, applied as a sustained load (Ts).
b) The force required to overcome static friction at the sliding surface

between the bottom of the exchanger or vessel saddle and the
support or foundation pier at the sliding end of the exchanger or
vessel, applied as a temporary load (Tt).
6.7.6 Friction forces caused by thermal expansion or contraction shall be

determined using the appropriate static coefficient of friction.
Coefficients of friction shall be in accordance with Table 2.
Table 2 - Coefficients of Friction

a. Steel to steel 0.4
b. Steel to concrete 0.6
c. Proprietary Sliding Surfaces According to Manufacturer's
or Coatings (e.g., "Teflon") Instructions
6.7.7 Because of uneven thermal strain in pipes at any given time, friction
forces of individual pipes shall be assumed to be partially resisted by
adjacent pipes on the same piping level. The nominal unbalanced
friction load acting in the longitudinal direction on the piping level can
be estimated as a percentage of the total pipe weight tributary to that
piping level according to the number of pipes on the piping level as
shown in Table 3.

Table 3 – Friction Load Based on Number of Pipes

Number of Pipes on Piping Level Friction Load as a Percentage of
Total Piping Weight
1 40%
2-3 30%
4-6 20%
Greater than 6 10%
Note:
Under normal loading conditions with multiple pipes, torsional effects

on the local beam need not be considered since the pipes supported
by the beam limit the rotation of the beam to the extent that the
torsional stresses are minimal. Under certain circumstances,
engineering judgment shall be applied to determine whether a higher
friction load and/or torsional effects should be considered.
6.7.8 Pipe anchor (Af) and guide loads shall be considered as dead loads.
Pipe rack beams, struts, columns, braced anchor frames, and
foundations shall be designed to resist actual pipe anchor and guide
loads. For local beam design consider only the top flange as acting in
horizontal bending unless the pipe anchor engages both flanges of the
beam. Anchor and guide forces shall be obtained from the checked
pipe stress analysis and piping isometric drawings.
6.7.9 Internal pressure and surge shall be considered for pipe anchor and
guide loads
6.7.10 Friction loads shall be considered temporary and shall not be combined
with wind or earthquake loads. However, anchor and guide loads
(excluding their friction component) shall be combined with wind or
seismic loads.
6.8 Bundle Pull Load (Bp) - (Heat Exchangers)
6.8.1 Structures and foundations supporting heat exchangers subject to

bundle pulling shall be designed for a horizontal load equal to
1.0 times the weight of the removable tube bundle but not less than 9.0
kN (2000 lb). If the total weight of the exchanger is less than
9 kN (2000 lb), the bundle pull design load need not exceed the total
weight of the exchanger.
6.8.2 The portion of the bundle pull load at the sliding end support shall equal
the friction force or half of the total bundle pull load, whichever is less.
The remainder of the bundle pull load shall be resisted at the anchor
end support.

6.8.3 Bundle pull load shall be applied at the center of the bundle. If it can
be assured that the bundles will be removed strictly by the use of a
bundle extractor attaching directly to the exchanger (such that the
bundle pull force is not transferred to the structure or foundation), the
structure or foundation need not be designed for the bundle pull force.
Such assurance would typically require the addition of a sign posted on
the exchanger to indicate bundle removal by an extractor only.
6.9 Traffic Loads
Concrete slab on grade, bridges, trenches and underground installations

accessible to truck loading shall be designed to withstand HS20 load as defined
by AASHTO Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges and the maximum
legal Saudi Arabian truck loads defined in SAES-Q-006, unless specified
otherwise in project specifications. Maintenance and/or construction crane
loads shall also be considered as applicable. Truck or crane loads shall have
the same load factor as live load.
Note:
Structural steel bridges must conform to special criteria, including cambered

longitudinal members, restrictive fabrication tolerances, special fatigue allowances and
stiffness criteria. AASHTO Specifications for Highway Bridges is specified for the
design of all bridges. Bridge design shall also consider any truck loadings, military
vehicle loadings, heavy haul loads and Saudi Aramco equipment loadings unique to
Saudi Arabia or Saudi Aramco operational areas which may significantly exceed
AASHTO standard truck loads of HS20 (Refer to SAES-Q-006 for traffic loads).
6.10 Dynamic Loads (V)
6.10.1 Equipment
Where vibration is induced by equipment such as pumps, blowers, fans

and compressors, supporting members shall be designed in accordance
with SAES-Q-007 to prevent fatigue failure and to avoid misalignment or
malfunction of machinery and equipment.
Harmonic unbalanced forces generated by rotating or reciprocating

equipment is a primary source of vibration in process structures. The
structural design shall ensure that vibrations are neither intolerable nor
troublesome to personnel, nor cause damage to the machine or structure
as per the requirements of SAES-Q-007.
Notes:
As a general rule, none of the natural frequencies of the structure shall be within
a band of the operating frequency of the supported machinery. The
recommended band is 1.3 times above the operating frequency and 0.7 times
below the operating frequency. To find structural natural frequencies, a computer
analysis will generally be required.
In lieu of performing a computer analysis, the engineer may use approximate

hand solutions for natural frequencies and adjust the design so that the structure

is sufficiently high or low tuned. The manufacturer's recommendations shall be

considered in designing structures containing vibratory equipment.
The governing criteria in a structure supporting vibrating machinery will generally

be based on machinery shaft alignment requirements rather than human comfort
considerations. Perceptible vibrations are expected and accepted in plant areas.
Vibration should be limited to avoid damage to structures, machinery, and
appurtenances.
The designer is referred to SABP-M-010 “Dynamic Analysis of Above Ground

Structures” for guidance related to the subject matter.
6.10.2 Modal analysis shall be performed for any steel structure carrying any
or all of the following: piping and valves that contain slugging and/or
multi-phase loads, fin fans, and rotating equipment (such as pumps,
compressors, motors, generators, etc.) in order to estimate the natural
frequencies and mode shapes of the structure. The structure natural
frequencies in the modal analysis shall be associated with the mass
participating factors to differentiate between phantom modes, local
modes, and global modes. The dynamic analysis of such structures
shall satisfy the requirement that the natural frequency of the structure
shall be below 0.7 or above 1.3 of the operating frequency.
6.10.3 Dynamic analysis or equivalent static analysis shall be performed on

any steel structure carrying piping and/or valves that contain slugging
forces from multi-phase flow. in order to estimate the vibration
velocities.
a) If dynamic analysis is selected, then a time history of the

transient dynamic force (slugging force) shall be entered for
accurate results. The design shall ensure that the calculated
vibration velocity does not exceed 10 mm/sec (0.4 in/sec)
Particle Peak Velocity (PPV). The dynamic response shall not
be less that the equivalent static response with no amplification.
The velocities can be evaluated as per 6.10.3b.
b) If equivalent static analysis is selected, the slugging loads shall

be multiplied by a factor of 2 (two). The maximum displacement
should be used to determine the maximum vibration velocity
utilizing the fundamental structural vibration frequencies
obtained in the modal analysis (those corresponding to highest
mass participation in the two horizontal directions). The
maximum vibration velocity calculated shall not exceed 10 mm/s
(0.4 in/s) Particle Peak Velocity (PPV).
6.10.4 For existing structure where vibration levels exceed the above value,
fatigue analysis of the piping and structure should be undertaken to
ensure safe operation. For new structure, modification to the structure
shall be made to ensure that vibration velocities do not exceed the
above values.

Note:
Structural damage has been observed on members where the vibration

velocity exceeds approx. 0.80-1.60 in/sec PPV (20-40 mm / sec pk).
6.10.5 For dynamic analysis, process equipment, piping, and structure shall
be modeled together to take the structural support stiffness and mass
into account. For example, structural analysis model can be imported
into pipe stress analysis model for more accurate analysis. For
equivalent static analysis, the structural support stiffness should be
used in pipe stress analysis. Slug loads should be evaluated separately
as cyclic loads causing fatigue.
6.10.6 The vibration limit for steel structure may be further limited by the
requirements of sensitive equipment. Vibration limits for equipment are
listed in SAER-5659 “Guidelines for Setting Acceptable Alarm and
Shutdown Vibration Limits”.
6.10.7 At any given section of a pipe rack, expansion joints and location of
braced bay shall be reviewed and decided considering the critical
governing slug loads to suit process conditions. (This is the prime
responsibility of designers to verify the critical loads and expansion joint
location.
6.10.8 Where process piping supported on pipe rack will be subject to multi-
phase and/or slug flow, the process, piping and structural design shall
be independently peer reviewed. The review shall implement the
Energy Institute Guidelines for the Avoidance of Vibration Induced
Fatigue in Process Pipework. The requirements for peer review are
listed in SAES-A-204 Section 15.
Note:
In general, experience at Saudi Aramco had shown that pipe racks supporting
vibrating equipment or slugging loads should have the first natural frequency of
the structure above 3 Hz. However, experience at Saudi Aramco had also
shown that pipe racks supporting Acid Gas Removal (AGR) piping and vessels
should have the first natural frequency of the structure above 4 Hz.
6.11 Pressure Loads (Ground Supported Tanks Only)
Pressure loads for ground supported tanks are designated by the

following nomenclature:
Pi, Pe, and Pt, where
Pi = Design Internal Pressure
Pe = External Pressure
Pt = Test Internal Pressure

6.12 Construction Loads
The minimum construction design loads for buildings and other

structures shall be in accordance with SEI/ASCE 37.
Note:
In certain cases, structural steel members and vertical bracing are temporarily
removed to allow for the installation of equipment. In this case, the actual
structural steel configuration needs to be checked for the construction condition.
7 Load Combinations
7.1 General
Structures, equipment, and foundations shall be designed for the

appropriate load combinations from ASCE/SEI 7, this standard, and any
other probable and realistic combination of loads. This document shall
be used for load combinations for either strength design or allowable
stress design. Load combinations for vertical vessels, horizontal
vessels, heat exchangers, pipe racks, pipe bridges and ground
supported tanks shall be as listed below.
The load combinations shown below are the most common load
combinations but may not cover all possible conditions. Any credible
load combination that could produce the maximum stress or govern for
stability should be considered in the calculations.
7.1.1 Allowable Stress Design
7.1.1.1 The use of a one-third stress increase for load combinations

including wind or earthquake loads shall not be allowed for
design using the Allowable Stress Design (ASD) method.
7.1.1.2 The non-comprehensive list of typical load combinations for

each type of structure provided below shall be considered and
used as applicable.
7.1.1.3 Engineering judgment shall be used in establishing all

appropriate load combinations.
7.1.1.4 Steel structures in Seismic Design Category D or higher shall

use factored load combinations as specified in ANSI/AISC 341
Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings, Part III
(Allowable Stress Design Alternative).
Notes:
1. The dead load factor used for the seismic uplift ASD load
combinations is generally taken as 0.9. This factor is greater than the
0.6 dead load factor used in the ASD load combinations of ASCE/SEI 7
Section 2 because the dead loads of nonbuilding structures are known to

a higher degree of accuracy than the corresponding dead loads of

buildings. A dead load factor of 0.9 instead of 1.0 is used to account for
the effect of vertical seismic forces. The use of this reduction is
necessary since foundations sized using ASD loads, with the exception
of foundations for ground supported storage tanks, are generally not
required to consider the effect of vertical seismic uplift forces if a dead
load factor of 0.6 is used. A dead load factor of 1.0 is used for the wind
uplift ASD load combinations because of the higher accuracy of dead
loads of nonbuilding structures.
2. Hydrotest Combinations: Full live and wind loads do not need to be

combined with hydrotest loads unless unusually long hydrotest duration
is planned (i.e., when there is a significant probability that the "partial
wind velocity" will be exceeded). Engineering judgment shall be used in
establishing hydrotest load combinations that include earthquake loads.
For allowable stress design, a 20% allowable stress increase is
permitted for any hydrotest load combination. However, for ultimate
strength/limit states design, no load factor reduction is permitted for any
hydrotest load combination.
7.1.2 Strength Design
7.1.2.1 The non-comprehensive list of typical factored load

combinations for each type of structure provided below shall
be considered and used as applicable.
7.1.2.2 Engineering judgment shall be used in establishing all

appropriate load combinations.
7.1.2.3 The following load combinations are appropriate for use with
the strength design provisions of either SAES-M-306 or SAES-
Q-304.
7.2 Load Combinations and Load Factors
7.2.1 General Plant Structures
Load combinations for general plant structures and process structures

shall be in accordance with ASCE/SEI 7, Chapter 2.
7.2.2 Vertical Vessel Support Design

Table 4 - Load Combination – Allowable Stress Design
ASCE 7-10 / General Load SAES-M- Vertical Vessel Supports and Description
SAES-M-301 Combination 001 LC Foundation Specific Load
Combination Combination
Number
1 D 1.1 Ds+Do+Ts Operating Weight + Sustained
Thermal (Sustained Load Case
for Deflection or Settlement)
1.2 Ds+Do+Ts+Tt Operating Weight + Sustained
Thermal + Temporary Thermal
1.3 Ds+Dt+Tsa+Ttb Test Weight + Sustained
Thermala + Temporary
Thermalb
2 D+L 2.1 Ds+Do+Ts+L Operating Weight + Sustained
Thermal + Live
2.2 Ds+Dt+Tsa+L Test Weight + Sustained
Thermala + Live
3 D+(Lr or R) N/A N/A N/A
4 D+0.75L+0.75(Lr or R) 4.1 Ds+Do+Ts+0.75Tt+0.75L Operating Weight + Sustained
Thermal + Temporary Thermal
+ Live
4.2 Ds+Do+Tsa+0.75Ttb+0.75L Operating Weight + Sustained
Thermala + Temporary
Thermalb + Live
5 D+(0.6W or 0.7E) 5.1 Ds+Do+Ts+0.6W Operating Weight + Sustained
Thermal + Wind
5.2 Ds+Do+Ts+0.7Eod Operating Weight + Sustained
Thermal + Earthquaked
5.3 Ds+Dt+Tsa+0.6Wp Test Weight + Sustained
Thermala + Partial Wind
6a D+0.75L+0.75 6a.1 Ds+Do+Ts+0.75L+0.75(0.6W) Operating Weight + Sustained
(0.6W)+0.75(Lr or R) Thermal + Live + Wind
6a.2 Ds+Dt+Tsa+0.75L+0.75(0.6W p) Test Weight + Sustained
Thermala + Live + Partial Wind
6b D+0.75L+0.75(0.7E) 6b Ds+Do+Ts+0.75L+0.75(0.7Eod) Operating Weight + Sustained
Thermal + Live + Earthquaked
7 0.6D+0.6W 7.1 0.6(Ds+Dfe) + 0.6W p Erection Weighte + Partial
Wind (Uplift Case)
7.2 0.6(Ds+De) + Tsf,g +0.6W Empty Weight + Sustained
Thermalf,g + Wind (Uplift Case)
7.3 0.6(Ds+Do) + Tsg +0.6W Operating Weight + Sustained
Thermalg + Wind (Uplift Case)
8 0.6D+0.7E 8.1 0.6(Ds+De) + Tsf,g +0.7Eed Empty Weight + Sustained
Thermalf,g + Earthquaked (uplift
Case)
8.2 0.6(Ds+Do) + Tsg +0.7Eod,h Operating Weight + Sustained
Thermalg + Earthquaked,h
(uplift Case)
Notes:
a. For LC 1.3, 2.2, 3.2, 4.2, 5.3 and 6a.2, only Ts loads expected during hydrotest shall
be considered.
b. For LC 1.3 and 4.2, only Tt loads expected during hydrotest shall be considered.
d. For skirt supported vertical vessels and skirt supported elevated tanks classified as
Risk Category IV in accordance with Section 1.5 and Table 1.5-1 of ASCE 7-10, the
critical earthquake provisions and implied load combination of Section 15.7.10.5 of
ASCE 7-10 shall be followed.

e. LC 7.1 is required only if erection weight of the vessel is significantly less than the
empty weight of the vessel.
f. For LC 7.2 and 8.1, only Ts loads expected during empty dead load condition shall be
considered.
g. For LC 7.2, 7.3, 8.1 and 8.2 (uplift cases), load factor for Ts (from piping) shall be 0.6 if
the load contributes to the resisting forces and 1.0 if the load contributes to uplift or
overturning forces. For all other load combinations, load factor for T s (from piping)
shall be 1.0.
h. For LC 8.2, full Ds + Do value shall be used for the calculation of Eo.
i. For LC 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 8.1 and 8.2 address an overturning condition for foundation
design. They do not apply to the design of anchorage (if any) to the foundation.
j. Roof live and rain are not included in this table because they do not apply to vertical
vessels.
Table 5 - Load Combinations and Load Factors – Strength Design
ASCE 7-10 General Load SAES-M-001 Vertical Vessel Supports and Description
or SAES-M- Combination Load Fdn Specific Load
301 Combination Combination
Combination
Number
1 1.4D 1.1 1.4(Ds+Do)+1.2Ts Operating Weight +
Sustained Thermal
1.2 1.4(Ds+Dt)+1.2Tsa Test Weight +
Sustained Thermala
2 1.2D+1.6L+0.5(Lr or 2.1 1.2(Ds+Do)+1.2Ts+1.0Tt+1.6L Operating Weight +
R) Sustained Thermal +
Temp Thermal + Live
2.2 1.2(Ds+Dt)+1.2Tsa+1.0Ttb+1.6Ld Test Weight +
Sustained Thermala +
Temp Thermalb +
Live
3 1.2D+1.6(Lr or R)+(L N/A N/A N/A
or 0.5W) 3.2 1.2(Ds+Do)+1.2Ts+0.5W Operating Weight +
Sustained Thermal +
Wind
N/A N/A N/A
3.4 1.2(Ds+Dt)+1.2Tsa+0.5W Test Weight +
Wind
4 1.2D+1.0W+L+0.5(Lr 4.1 1.2(Ds+Do)+1.2Ts+1.0W+0.5Ld Operating Weight +
or R) Sustained Thermal +
Wind + Lived
4.2 1.2(Ds+Dt)+1.2Tsa+1.0W p+0.5Ld Test Weight +
Sustained Thermal +
Partial Wind + Lived
5 1.2D+1.0E+L 5 1.2(Ds+Do)+1.2Ts+1.0Eoe+0.5Ld Operating Weight +
Sustained Thermal +
Earthquakee + Lived
6 0.9D+1.0W 6.1 0.9(Ds+Dff)+1.0W p Erection Weightf +
Partial Wind (Uplift
Case)
6.2 0.9(Ds+De)+1.2Tsg,h+1.0W Empty Weight +
Sustained Thermalg,h
+ Wind (Uplift Case)
6.3 0.9(Ds+Do)+1.2Tsh+1.0W Operating Weight +
Sustained Thermalh


7 0.9D+1.0E 7.1 0.9(Ds+De)+1.2Tsg,h+1.0Eee Empty Weight +
+ Earthquakee (Uplift
Case)
7.2 0.9(Ds+Do)+1.2Tsh+1.0Eoe,i Operating Weight +
Sustained Thermalh
+ Earthquakee,i
(Uplift Case)
Notes:
a. For LC 1.2, 2.2, 3.3, 3.4, 4.2 and 8.2, only Ts loads expected during hydrotesting period shall
be considered.
b. For LC 2.2, 3.3 and 8.2, only Tt loads expected during hydrotesting period shall be considered.
d. For LC 3.1, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, and 7.5, the 0.5 load factor on L is permitted for L = 100 psf or less.
For L > 100 psf, load factor for L on these combinations shall be 1.0.
e. For skirt supported vertical vessels and skirt supported elevated tanks classified as Risk
Category IV in accordance with Section 1.5 and Table 1.5-1 of ASCE 7-10, the critical
earthquake provisions and implied load combination of Section 15.7.10.5 of ASCE 7-10 shall
be followed.
f. LC 6.1 is required only if erection weight of the vessel is significantly less than the empty
weight of the vessel.
g. For LC 6.2 and 7.1 only Ts Loads expected during empty dead load condition shall be
considered.
h. Load factor for Ts (from piping) shall be 0.9 if the load contributes to the resisting forces and
1.2 if the load contributes to uplift or overturning forces. For all other load combinations, load
factor for Ts (from piping) shall be the same as the load factor for dead load.
i. For LC 7.2, full Ds + Do value shall be used for the calculation of Eo.
j. LC 8.1 and 8.2 are based on ASCE 7-10, commentary C2.3.5
k. Roof live and rain are not included in this table since they do not apply to vertical vessels.

7.2.3 Horizontal Vessel and Heat Exchanger Supports and Foundation Design
Table 6 - Load Combinations – Allowable Stress Design
ASCE 7-10 General Load SAES-M-001 Horizontal Vessel / Heat Description

or SAES-M- Combination Load Exchanger Supports and Fdn
301 Combination Specific Load Combination
Combination
Number
1 D 1.1 Ds+Do+Ts Operating Weight +
Sustained Thermal
1.2 Ds+Do+Tsa+Tta Operating Weight +
Temporary Thermala
1.3 Ds+Dt+Tsb+Ttc Test Weight +
Sustained Thermalb +
Temporary Thermalc
2 D+L 2.1 Ds+Do+Ts+L Operating Weight +
Sustained Thermal +
Live
2.2 Ds+Dt+ Tsb +L Test Weight +
Live
3 D + (Lr or S or R) No Need No Need No Need
No Need No Need No Need
4 D+0.75L+0.75(Lr or 4.1 Ds+Do+Tsa+0.75Tta+0.75L Operating Weight +

S or R) Sustained Thermala +
Temporary
Thermala+ Live
4.2 Ds+Dt+Tsb+0.75Ttc+0.75L Test Weight +
Temporary
Thermalc+ Live
5 D + (0.6W or 0.7E) 5.1 Ds+Do+Ts+0.6W Operating Weight +
Sustained Thermal +
Wind
5.2 Ds+Do+Ts+0.7E Operating Weight +
Sustained Thermal +
Earthquake
5.3 Ds+Dt+Tsb+0.6W p Test Weight +
Partial Wind
6 D + 0.75 L + 0.75 6.1 Ds+Do+Ts+0.75L+0.75 (0.6W) Operating Weight +
(0.6W) + 0.75(Lr or Sustained Thermal +
S or R) Live + Wind
6.2 Ds+Dt+Tsb+0.75L+0.75 (0.6 Wp) Test Weight +
Sustained Thermalb
+ Live + Partial Wind
6b D+0.75L+0.75(0.7E) 6b Ds+Do+Ts+0.75L+0.75 (0.7Eo) Operating Weight +
Sustained Thermal +
Live + Earthquake
7 0.6D+0.6W 7.1 0.6(Ds+Dfe)+0.6W p Erection Weighte +
Case)
7.2 0.6(Ds+De)+ Tsf,g+0.6W Empty Weight +
Sustained Thermalf,g
7.3 0.6(Ds+Do)+ Tsg+0.6W Operating Weight +

Sustained Thermalg
8 0.6D+0.7E 8.1 0.6(Ds+De)+ Tsf,g+0.7Ee Empty Weight +
Sustained Thermalf,g
+ Earthquake (Uplift
Case)
8.2 0.6(Ds+Do)+ Tsg+0.7 Eeh Operating Weight +
Sustained Thermalg
+ Earthquakeh (Uplift
Case)
N/A N/A 9 Ds+Dei+Bp Empty Weight +
Bundle Pull
N/A N/A 10 0.6(Ds+Dei)+Bp Empty Weight +
Bundle Pull (Uplift
Case)
Notes:
a. For LC 1.2 and 4.1, thermal load for heat exchangers and horizontal vessels shall be the
lesser of Ts or Tt as specified in Section 6.7 of this Engineering Standard.
b. For LC 1.3, 2.2, 3.2, 4.2, 5.3 and 6a.2, only Ts loads expected during the hydrotesting period
shall be considered.
c. For LC 1.3 and 4.2, only Tt loads expected during hydrotesting period shall be considered.
e. LC 7.1 is required only if erection weight of the vessel is significantly less than the empty
considered.
g. For LC 7.2, 7.3, 8.1 and 8.2 (uplift cases), load factor for Ts (from piping), shall be 0.6 if the
load contributes to the resisting forces and 1.0 if the load contributes to the uplift and
overturning forces. For all other LCs the load factor for T s (from piping) shall be 1.0.
h. For LC 8.2, full Ds+Do value shall be used for the calculation of Eo.
i. For LC 9 and 10, a reduced empty dead load shall be used for heat exchangers during bundle
pull to reflect the removal of the bundle head.
j. Roof live and rain load are not included in this table because they are not applicable to
horizontal vessels and heat exchangers.

ASCE 7-10 General Load SAES-M-001 Horizontal Vessel / Heat Description

or SAES-M- Combination Load Exchanger Supports and Fdn
301 Combination Specific Load Combination
Combination
Number
1 1.4 D 1.1 1.4(Ds+Do)+1.2Ts Operating Weight +
Sustained Thermal
1.2 1.4(Ds+Dt)+1.2Tsa Test Weight +
Sustained Thermala
2 1.2D + 1.6L + 0.5(Lr 2.1 1.2(Ds+Do)+1.2Tsb+1.0Ttb+1.6L Operating Weight +
or R) Sustained Thermalb
+ Temp Thermalb +
Live
2.2 1.2(Ds+Dt)+1.2Tsa+1.0Ttc+1.6L Test Weight +
Temp Thermalc +
Live
3 1.2D + 1.6(Lr or S or 3.1 1.2(Ds+Do)+1.2Tsb+1.0Ttb+0.5Le Operating Weight +
R) + (L or 0.5W) Sustained Thermalb
+ Temp Thermalb +
Livee
3.2 1.2(Ds+Do)+1.2Ts+0.5W Operating Weight +
Sustained Thermal +
Wind
3.3 1.2(Ds+Dt)+1.2Tsa+1.0Ttc+0.5Le Test Weight +
Sustained Thermala
+ Temp Thermalc +
Livee
3.4 1.2(Ds+Dt)+1.2Tsa+0.5W Test Weight +
Sustained Thermala
+ Wind
4 1.2D+1.0W+L+0.5(Lr 4.1 1.2(Ds+Do)+1.2Ts+1.0W+0.5Le Operating Weight +
or S or R) Sustained Thermal +
Wind + Livee
4.2 1.2(Ds+Dt)+1.2Tsa+1.0W p+0.5Le Test Weight +
Partial Wind + Livee
5 1.2D + 1.0E + L 5.1 1.2(Ds+Do)+1.2Ts+1.0Eo+0.5Le Operating Weight +
+0.2S Sustained Thermal +
Earthquake + Livee
6 0.9D + 1.0W 6.1 0.9(Ds+Dff) + 1.0W p Erection Weight +
Case)
6.2 0.9(Ds+De)+1.2Tsg,h+1.0W Empty Weight +
6.3 0.9(Ds+Do)+1.2Tsh +1.0W Operating Weight +
Sustained Thermalh
7 0.9D+1.0E 7.1 0.9(Ds+De)+1.2Tsg,h+1.0Ee Empty Weight +
+ Earthquake (Uplift
Case)
7.2 0.9(Ds+Do)+1.2Tsh +1.0Eoi Operating Weight +
Sustained Thermalh
+ Earthquakei (Uplift
Case)
N/Ak N/Ak 8.1 1.2(Ds+Do)+1.2Tsb+1.2Ttb +0.5L Operating Weight +
Sustained Thermalb

+ Temp Thermalb +
Live
8.2 1.2(Ds+Dt)+1.2Tsa+1.2Ttc +0.5L Test Weight +
Sustained Thermala
+ Temp Thermalc +
Live
N/A N/A 9 1.2(Ds+Dej)+1.6Bp Empty Weightj +
Bundle Pull
N/A N/A 10 0.9(Ds+Dej)+1.6Bp Empty Weightj +
Bundle Pull (Uplift
Case)
Notes:
a. For LC 1.2, 2.2, 3.3, 3.4, 4.2 and 8.2 only Ts loads expected during hydrotesting period shall
be considered.
b. For LC 2.1, 3.1, and 8.1, thermal load for heat exchangers and horz vessels shall be the
lesser of Ts or Tt as specified in Section 6.7 of this practice.
c. For LC 2.2, 3.3, and 8.2, only Tt loads expected during hyrotesting period shall be considered.
e. For LC 3.1, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, and 5, the 0.5 load factor on L is permitted for 100 psf of less. For
L>100 psf, load factor on L in these combinations shall be 1.0.
f. LC 6.1 is required only if the erection weight of the vessel is significantly less than the empty
g. For LC 6.2 and 7.1, only Ts loads expected during empty load condition shall be considered.
h. For LC 6.2, 6.3, 7.1 and 7.2 (uplift cases), load factor for T s (from piping) shall be 0.9 if the
load contributes to the resisting forces and 1.2 if the load contributes to uplift or overturning
forces. For all other load combinations, load factor for T s (from piping) shall be the same as the
load factor for the dead load.
i. For LC 7.2, full Ds + Do value shall be used for the calculation of Eo.
j For LC 9 and 10, a reduced empty dead load shall be used for heat exchangers during bundle
pull to reflect the removal of the bundle head.
k. LC 8.1 and 8.2 are based on ASCE 7-10, commentary C2.3.5
l. Roof live and rain are not included in this table since they do not apply to vertical vessels.

7.2.4 Pipe Rack and Pipe Bridge Design
Table 8 - Load Combinations – Allowable Stress Design
ASCE 7-10 General Load SAES-M-001 Pipe Racks and Pipe Bridges Description
or SAES-M- Combination Load Load Combination
301 Combination
Combination
Number
1 D 1.1 Ds + Do + Ts Operating
Weight +
Sustained
Thermal
1.2 Ds+Do+Ts+Tt Operating
Weight +
Sustained
Thermal + Temp
Thermal
1.3 Ds+Dta+Tsb+Ttc Test Weighta +
Sustainedb
Thermal + Temp
Thermalc
2 D+L 2.1 Ds+Do+Ts+L Operating
Weight +
Sustained
Thermal + Live
2.2 Ds+Dta+Tsb+L Test Weighta +
Sustainedb
Thermal + Live
3 D + (Lr or S or R) N/A N/A N/A
N/A N/A N/A
4 D+0.75L+0.75(Lr or 4.1 Ds+Do+Ts+0.75Tt+0.75L Operating

S or R) Weight +
Sustained
Thermal + Temp
Thermal + Live
4.2 Ds+Dta+Tsb+0.75 Ttc+0.75L Test Weighta +
Sustained
Thermalb + Temp
Thermalc + Live
5 D + (0.6W or 0.7E) 5.1 Ds+Do+Ts+0.6W Operating
Weight +
Sustained
Thermal + Wind
5.2 Ds+Do+Ts+0.7Eo Operating
Weight +
Sustained
Thermal +
Earthquake
5.3 Ds+Dta+Tsb+0.6W p Test Weighta +
Sustained
Thermalb +
Partial Wind

6a D + 0.75L 6a.1 Ds+Do+Ts+0.75L+0.75(0.6W) Operating

+0.75(0.6W)+0.75(Lr Weight +
or S or R) Sustained
Thermal + Live +
Wind
6a.2 Ds+Dta+Tsb+0.75L+0.75(0.6W p) Test Weighta +
Sustained
Thermalb + Live
+ Partial Wind
6b D + 0.75L 6b Ds+Do+Ts+0.75L+0.75(0.7Eo) Operating

+0.75(0.7E)+0.75S Weight +
Sustained
Thermal + Live +
Earthquake
7 0.6D+0.6W 7.1 0.6(Ds+De)+ Tse,f+0.6W Empty Weight +
Sustained
Thermale,f +
Wind (Uplift
Case)
7.2 0.6(Ds+Do)+ Tsf+0.6W Operating
Weight +
Sustained
Thermalf + Wind
(Sustained
Thermal and
Uplift Case)
8 0.6D+0.7E 8.1 0.6(Ds+De)+ Tse,f+0.7Eo Empty Weight +
Sustained
Thermale,f +
Earthquake
(Uplift Case)
8.2 0.6(Ds+Do)+ Tsf+0.7Eog Operating
Weight +
Sustained
Thermalf +
Earthquakeg
(Sustained
Thermal and
Uplift Case)
Notes:
a. LC 1.3, 2.2, 3.2, 4.2, 5.3 and 6a.2 are normally only required for local member design
because hydrotesting is typically not done for all pipes simultaneously.
b. For LC 1.3, 2.2, 3.2, 4.2, 5.3 and 6a.2, only loads expected during hydrotesting shall be
considered.
c. For LC1.3 and 4.2, only Tt loads expected during the period of hydrotesting shall be
included.
e. For LC 7.1 and 8.1, only Ts loads expected during empty dead load condition shall be
considered.
f. For LC 7.1, 7.2, 8.1 and 8.2 (uplift cases), load factor for T s (from piping) shall be 0.6 if the
load contributes to the resisting forces and 1.0 if the load contributes to the uplift or
overturning forces. For all other LC, load factor Ts (from piping) shall be 1.0.
g. For LC 8.2, full value (Ds + Do) shall be used for the calculation of Eo.
h. For pipe rack with air coolers or other types of equipment and vessels, loads and load

combinations used for equipment structures and vessel supports shall also be considered
as applicable.
i. Roof live and rain are not included in this table since they do not apply to vertical vessels.
ASCE 7-10 General Load SAES-M-001 Pipe Racks and Pipe Bridges Description
or SAES-M- Combination Load Load Combination
301 Combination
Combination
Number
1 1.4 D 1.1 1.4(Ds+Do)+1.2Ts Operating
Weight +
Sustained
Thermal
1.2 1.4(Ds+Dta)+1.2Tsb Test Weighta +
Sustained
Thermalb
2 1.2 D + 1.6 L+ 0.5(Lr 2.1 1.2(Ds+Do)+1.2Ts+1.0Tt+1.6L Operating

or S or R) Weight +
Sustained
Thermal + Temp
Thermal + Live
2.2 1.2(Ds+Dta)+1.2Tsb+1.0Ttc+1.6L Test Weight +
Sustained
Thermalb +
Temp Thermalc
+ Live
3 1.2D + 1.6(Lr or S or N/A N/A N/A
R)+(L or 0.5W)
N/A N/A N/A
4 1.2D+1.0W+ 4.1 1.2(Ds+Do)+1.2Ts+1.0W+0.5Le Operating

L+0.5(Lr or S or R) Weight +
Sustained
Thermal + Wind
+ Livee
4.2 1.2(Ds+Dta)+1.2Tsb+1.0W p+0.5Le Test Weighta +
Sustained
Thermalb +
Partial Wind +
Livee
5 1.2D + 1.0E + L 5.1 1.2(Ds+Do)+1.2Ts+1.0Eo+0.5Le Operating
Weight +
Sustained
Thermal +
Earthquake +
Livee
6 0.9D+1.0W 6.1 0.9(Ds+De)+1.2Tsf,g+1.0W Empty Weight +
Sustained
Thermalf,g +

Wind (Uplift
Case)
6.2 0.9(Ds+Do)+1.2Tsh +1.0W Operating
Weight +
Sustained
Thermalg + Wind
(Uplift Case)
7 0.9D+1.0E 7.1 0.9(Ds+De)+1.2 Tsf,g+1.0Ee Empty Weight +

Sustained
Thermalf,g +
Earthquake
(Uplift Case)
7.2 0.9(Ds+Do)+1.2Tsg +1.0Eoh Operating
Weight +
Sustained
Thermalg +
Earthquakeh
(Uplift Case)
N/Aj N/Aj 8.1 1.2(Ds+Do)+1.2Ts+1.2Tt +0.5L Operating
Weight +
Sustained
Thermal + Temp
Thermal + Live
8.2 1.2(Ds+Dta)+1.2Tsb+1.2Ttc +0.5L Test Weighta +
Sustained
Thermalb +
Temp Thermalc
+ Live
Notes:
a. LC 1.2, 2.2, 3.3, 3.4, 4.2 and 8.2 are normally only required for local member design
because hydrotesting is typically not done for all pipes simultaneously.
b. For LC 1.2, 2.2, 3.3, 3.4, 4.2, and 8.2, only Ts loads expected during hydrotesting shall be
considered.
c. For LC 2.2, 3.3 and 8.2, only Tt loads expected during the period of hydrotesting shall be
included.
e. For LC 3.1, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, and 5, the 0.5 load factor on L is permitted for 100 psf of less.
For L>100 psf, load factor on L in these combinations shall be 1.0.
considered.
g. For LC 6.1, 6.2, 7.1 and 7.2 (uplift cases), load factor for T s (from piping) shall be 0.9 if the
load contributes to the resisting forces and 1.2 if the load contributes to the uplift or
overturning forces. For all other LC, load factor Ts (from piping) shall be the same as the
factor for dead load.
h. For LC 7.2, full value (Ds + Do) shall be used for the calculation of Eo.
i. For pipe rack with air coolers or other types of equipment and vessels, loads and load
combinations used for equipment structures and vessel supports shall also be considered
as applicable.
j. LC 8.1 and 8.2 are based on ASCE 7-10, commentary C2.3.5
k. Roof live and rain are not included in this table since they do not apply to vertical vessels.

7.2.5 Hydrotest Combinations
7.2.5.1 Engineering judgment shall be used in establishing the

appropriate application of test load combinations to adequately
address actual test conditions in accordance with project and
code requirements while avoiding overly conservative design.
7.2.5.2 Consideration shall be given to the sequence and combination

of testing for various equipment, vessels, tanks, and/or piping
systems supported on common structures, pipe racks, or
foundations.
7.2.5.3 Full live wind and earthquake loads are typically not combined
with hydrotest loads unless an unusually long hydrotest duration
is planned (i.e., if a significant probability exists that the "partial
wind velocity" will be exceeded or an earthquake event may
occur).
7.2.5.4 Additional loading shall be included with hydrotest if specified in

the contract documents.
7.2.5.5 For allowable stress design, a 20% allowable stress increase

shall be permitted for any hydrotest load combination.
7.2.5.6 For ultimate strength/limit states design, no load factor reduction

shall be permitted for any hydrotest load combination.
7.2.6 Ground Supported Storage Tank Load Combinations
Load combinations for ground-supported storage tanks shall be taken

from API STD 650. Load combinations from API STD 650 and modified
for use with ASCE/SEI 7 loads and are shown in Table 10 below.
Table 10 - Load Combinations – Allowable Stress Design (Service

Loads)
Load
Load
Comb. Description
Combination
No.
1. Ds + Do + Pi Operating Weight + Internal Pressurea
2. Ds + Dt + Pt Test Weight + Test Pressure
Empty or Operating Weight +
3. Ds + (De or Do) + W + 0.4Pib
Wind + Internal Pressurea
Empty or Operating Weight +
4a. Ds + (De or Do) + W + 0.4Peb
Wind + External Pressure
5. Ds + Do + L + 0.4Peb Operating Weight + Live + External Pressure
Ds + (De or Do) + 0.4 L + Pe Empty or Operating Weight + Live

6.
+ External Pressure

Operating Weight + Earthquake + Internal

7. Ds + Do + Eoc + 0.4 Pib
Pressure a (Earthquake uplift case)
8. Ds + Do + Eoc Operating Weight + Earthquake
Notes:
a. For internal pressures sufficient to lift the tank shell according to the rules of API
STD 650, tank, anchor bolts, and foundation shall be designed to the additional
requirements of API STD 650 Appendix F.7.
b. If the ratio of operating pressure to design pressure exceeds 0.4, the owner
should consider specifying a higher factor on design pressure in load
combinations 3, 4, 5, and 7 of Table 10.
c. Earthquake loads for API STD 650 tanks taken from ASCE/SEI 7 "bridging
equations" or from API STD 650 already include the 0.7 ASD seismic load factor.
7.2.7 Load combinations for static machinery, skid and modular equipment,
filters, and other equipment shall be similar to the load combinations for
vertical vessels.
8 Structural Design
8.1 Structural Steel
8.1.1 Structural steel design shall be in accordance with SAES-M-306.

Note:
Supplement number 1 to the AISC ASD specification deleted the one-third

stress increase for use with load combinations including wind or earthquake
loads. Because of the deletion of the one-third stress increase, designs made
to the AISC LRFD specifications should be considered for economy.
8.1.2 The design of cold-formed steel, shall be in accordance with AISI S100.
8.1.3 Steel joists shall be designed in accordance with Steel Joist Institute’s
Standard Specifications and Load Tables for Steel Joists and Joist
Girders.
8.1.4 Structural steel material requirements are found in 12-SAMSS-007.
8.1.5 Compression flanges of floor beams, not supporting equipment, may

be considered braced by decking (concrete or floor plate) if positively
connected thereto.
8.1.6 Grating shall not be considered as lateral bracing for support beams.
8.1.7 Steel design, including steel joists and metal decking, shall be
designed in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR 1926, Subpart R, to
provide structural stability during erection and to protect employees
from the hazards associated with steel erection activities.

8.1.8 Pipe Rack Design
Pipe racks shall be designed using structural steel. Concrete pipe racks
are not permitted.
8.1.9 Structural Steel Expansion
8.1.9.1 Pipe rack design shall allow for thermal expansion of steel
and avoid overstress due to self-straining forces. See also
Section 6.7.2.d.
8.9.1.2 Slotted connections that allow movement in the longitudinal

direction of the pipe rack shall be provided where pipe rack
sections exceed 42.5 meters in length.
8.9.1.3 Details and requirements for the slotted connections and

special bolting procedures for the slip connections shall be
detailed on the engineering drawings.
8.1.10 Connections
8.1.10.1 All field connections shall be bolted where possible.

Shop connections may be either bolted or welded.
Connections may be field welded when conditions are such
that a bolted connection is not suitable. All field welded
connections shall be detailed with erection bolts to facilitate
the welding and erection.
8.1.10.2 Field connections for primary structural members, shall be

bolted using high-strength bolts conforming to Grade A325-N
(bearing-type connections with threads included in the shear
plane) and shall be pretensioned, unless they are clearly
identified on the design drawings to be tightened only to a
snug (finger) tight condition to allow for movement within a
slotted hole. Slip-critical-type connections shall be used in
connections subject to vibration or repeated stress reversal.
Slip-critical (friction-type) connections shall also be used for
crane girders and crane girder supports connections. All
high-strength bolts shall be furnished with nuts and washers.
Notes:
Structural joints using ASTM A490 alloy steel bolts may be

permitted in non-corrosive environments. ASTM A490 bolts shall
not be galvanized.
Primary structural members shall be defined as the main frames

and any members that are part of the lateral load carrying
system.

8.1.10.3 Bolted joints shall conform to the requirements of the latest

edition of AISC Specification for Structural Joints using
Grade A325 or A490 Bolts.
Note:
Grades A325 and A490 are included under ASTM F3125/3125M -
Standard Specification for High Strength Bolts and Assemblies, Steel
and Alloy Steel, Heat Treated, Inch Dimensions 120 ksi and 150 ksi
Minimum Tensile Strength, and Metric Dimensions 830 MPa and
1040 MPa Minimum Tensile Strength
8.1.10.4 The minimum size of high-strength bolts shall be 20mm (3/4

inch) diameter. Minimum of two bolts are required per
connection.
8.1.10.5 Field connections for secondary structural members (purlins,

girts, stair framing, stair treads, stair bracing, toe plate,
handrail, ladders, small miscellaneous platforms, stiles, etc.)
may be bolted with machine bolts conforming to ASTM A307.
When ASTM A307 bolts are used, the sizes used should not
be the same diameter as any Grade A325/A325M bolts for
the same Purchase Order. ASTM A307 bolts are to be
limited to sizes 16 mm (⅝ inch) diameter and smaller.
Note:
The requirements of this paragraph are aimed at preventing

the inadvertent substitution of ASTM A307 bolts for Grade
A325 bolts. There is an opportunity to confuse the bolts
when bolts of different strengths and the same size are
present on the same job site. The use of
ASTM A307 bolt in the place of an Grade A325 bolt could
result in a failure of the connection under the design loads.
8.1.10.6 All gusset and stiffener plates shall be 10mm (⅜ inch)

minimum thickness. For minor structures such as small
access platforms and miscellaneous structures, 6mm (¼
inch) thick gusset and stiffener plates may be used.
The minimum thickness for connection plates in electrical
transmission towers or communication towers shall be
6mm (¼ inch).
8.1.10.7 All shear connections, except special connections, shall be

designed and detailed by the fabricator. The minimum
design capacity of all bolted, or mixed bolted and welded,
framed-beam connections shall be the member end reaction
shown on the design drawings. If the member end reaction
is not shown on the design drawings, the minimum available
strength shall be one-half of the maximum total uniform load
capacity as shown in the Allowable Uniform Load Tables in

the AISC Steel Construction Manual for the given beam size,
span and grade of steel.
8.1.10.8 The minimum number of rows of bolts for framed beam

connections shall be in accordance with Table 10-1 of the
AISC Steel Construction Manual.
8.1.10.9 One-sided framed-beam connections are not permitted

without approval of Saudi Aramco. Support reactions for
plate girders and other built-up or composite members shall
also be shown on the engineering drawings by the design
contractor.
8.1.10.10 Moment connection details and calculated forces (moments

and shears) shall be shown on the engineering drawings by
the design contractor.
8.1.10.11 Loadings for special connections shall be noted and the

connections shall be fully detailed on the engineering
drawings by the design contractor.
8.1.10.12 The forces in truss members and all main bracing members
shall be shown on the engineering drawings by the design
contractor, with plus signs indicating tension forces and
minus signs indicating compression forces. Alternatively,
truss and brace member end connections may be designed
and detailed on the engineering drawings by the design
contractor.
8.1.10.13 Vertical bracing connections shall be designed for forces

given on design drawings. Provide minimum two bolts at all
bracing connections.
8.1.10.14 Braces for structures subject to vibration from equipment

shall be designed as tension/compression braces.
8.1.10.15 Additional connection requirements are covered in 12-

SAMSS-007.
8.1.11 Welding
8.1.11.1 Based on building code and standards and the framing

system selected, appropriate welding code (AWS D1.1 or
AWS D1.8) should be selected.
8.1.11.2 All structural strength welding shall be continuous.
8.1.11.3 The edges of all tightly contacting surfaces shall be

completely seal welded.

Notes:
The preferred method of protection against corrosion is to

minimize and, where possible, eliminate pocket areas where
moisture may accumulate. If seal-welding is required, it need not
exceed a 3 mm fillet weld regardless of the base metal thickness.
A seal weld is not a strength weld. However, a continuous

strength weld may eliminate the need for a seal weld.
8.1.12 Multi Level Steel Structures

The construction of multi-level steel structures (including multi-level
pipe racks, multi-level non-building structures, etc.) shall employ
modular construction systems by approved vendors for both on-site
stick erection and modules transported from off-site. The modular
construction system shall utilize bi-axial moment connections using
standardized collar components that are prequalified per ANSI/AISC
358-10 or ANSI/AISC 358s1-11 Supplement 1.
8.2 Metal Decking
8.2.1 Metal deck shall be designed in accordance with Steel Deck Institute
(SDI) Design Manual for Composite Decks, Form Decks, and Roof
Decks - No. 31.
8.2.2 When roof or floor metal decking is used as a diaphragm to carry

lateral forces, both the metal deck and the deck attachments to the
structural frame shall be designed to transfer the lateral forces in
accordance with the requirements of SDI.
8.2.3 In areas where steel deck is used as form for concrete slab, and in
order for the steel decking to provide lateral bracing to the top flange of
beams in corrosive environments, shear connectors shall be installed
on the top flange at positions providing the desired unbraced length
(say at spacing = lc or lu). The connectors function is to engage the
slab providing a positive lateral brace point at the beam flange.
Connector strength shall provide shear strength equal to or greater
than 2% of the compression strength of the compression element being
braced (the beam).
Note:
In a corrosive environment, the decking can corrode away negating the

assumption of bracing of the compression flange by the decking.
In areas where corrosion of the deck is not a concern, deck can be puddle
welded to the beams.
8.3 Concrete
8.3.1 Concrete design shall be in accordance with SAES-Q-001,

SAES-Q-304, and ACI 350 for liquid containing structures.

8.3.2 Reinforcing shall be in accordance with SAES-Q-001.
8.3.3 Precast and prestressed concrete shall be in accordance with

SAES-Q-012 and PCI Design Handbooks (MNL 120 & MNL 122).
8.4 Masonry
Masonry design shall be in accordance with SAES-Q-305.
8.5 Elevator Supports
Elevator support design shall be per ASME A17.1.
8.6 Crane Supports
8.6.1 Vertical deflection of support runway girders shall not exceed the
following limits if loaded with the maximum wheel load(s), without
impact where L = the span length:
Table 11 - Maximum Allowable Girder Deflections

Top running CMAA Class A, B and C cranes L/600
Top running CMAA Class D cranes L/800
Top running CMAA Class E and F cranes L/1000
Under running CMAA Class A, B and C cranes L/450
Monorails L/450
8.6.2 Vertical deflection of jib cranes shall not exceed L/225 where L is the
maximum distance from the support column to load location along the
length of the jib beam, if loaded with the maximum lifted plus hoist
loads, without impact.
8.6.3 Lateral deflection of support runway girders for cranes with lateral
moving trolleys shall not exceed L/400 where L is the span length,
when loaded with a total crane lateral force not less than 20% of the
sum of the weights of the lifted load (without impact) and the crane
trolley. The lateral force shall be distributed to each runway girder with
due regard for the lateral stiffness of the runway girders and structure
supporting the runway girders.
8.6.4 Crane stops shall be designed per manufacturer's requirements, or if

not specified, the following load:
F = WV² / (2gTn) (1)

where,
F = Design force on crane stop, kips (kN)
W = 50% of bridge weight + 90% of trolley weight,

excluding the lifted load, kips (kN)

V = Rated crane speed, ft/sec (m/s)
g = Acceleration of gravity, 32.2 ft/sec² (9.8 m/sec²)
T = Length of travel (feet), of spring or plunger
required to stop crane, from crane manufacturer
(usually 0.15 ft (0.05 m))
n = Bumper efficiency factor (0.5 for helical springs,
see mfg for hydraulic plunger)
8.6.5 Overhead cranes located in open or partially enclosed structure must be

equipped with mechanical latches or pins for locking during stowed
condition.
Note:
Latches will prevent crane travelling due to wind or other extreme loading.
8.7 Allowable Deflection and Drift Limits
8.7.1 Deflection and drift limits should be based on the serviceability of the
interconnected, drift or deflection sensitive equipment, piping or
components supported on the structures.
8.7.2 The below minimum limits are based on service level loads.
8.7.3 Allowable drift limits for pipe racks due to wind loads shall not exceed
H/100 where H is the pipe rack height.
8.7.4 Allowable wind drift limits for process structures and personnel access
platforms shall not exceed H/200 where H is the structure height at
elevation of drift consideration.
8.7.5 Allowable seismic drift limits shall be in accordance with SAES-M-301.
8.7.6 For all structures designed in accordance with this standard, the
maximum deflection for flexural elements shall be documented in the
design.
8.7.7 Design for serviceability shall consider the AISC Steel Construction
Manual, Commentary on the Specifications for Structural Steel Buildings,
Chapter L, Section L3 and as listed in paragraph below.
8.7.8 The maximum allowable total load deflection (dmax) for beams supporting
floor systems and/or equipment shall be L/240 where L = Span Length.

Notes:
Unless a flexible structure is required to control vibration, the calculated drift

should be limited to the values listed in paragraph 8.7. Maximum deflection may
be further limited to accommodate equipment or appurtenance requirements.
8.8 Foundations
8.8.1 Basic foundation design shall be in accordance with SAES-Q-005.
8.8.2 Concrete Retaining Walls design shall be in accordance with

SAES-Q-009.
8.9 Vibrating Machinery Supports
Machinery foundations shall be designed per SAES-Q-007. Amplitudes

of vibration shall be limited to manufacturer recommendations and
limitations.
8.10 Anchor Rods
Anchorage design shall comply with SAES-Q-304 Chapter 17 Anchoring

to Concrete.
Anchor rod materials shall be in compliance with 12-SAMSS-007 and the

design and installation shall be per SAES-Q-005 and Standard Drawing
AA-036322, Sht. 001, (Rev. No. 08 or later).
8.11 Other Requirements
For structural elements exposed to severe corrosion, wear conditions, or

other extraordinary environmental conditions, special materials, protection,
or material thickness allowance shall be used instead of decreasing
allowable stresses.
Notes:
Where the structure may be continuously exposed to an environmental

temperature exceeding 260°C, such as flare support structures or adjacent to
fired equipment, the structural steel mechanical properties must be thoroughly
reviewed. The AISC “Steel Construction Manual” provides a discussion of the
effect of elevated temperatures on yield strength, tensile strength, coefficient of
expansion and modulus of elasticity of structural steels.
Heavy pedestrian or equipment traffic and wind-blown or water-borne sand scour

are wear conditions which cause erosion of the steel and may require additional
material thickness allowance in design.
8.12 Design Calculations and Drawings
8.12.1 Design calculations shall be prepared in accordance with SAES-A-204.

8.12.2 All drawings shall be made using the SI metric system of units, unless
instructed otherwise in writing by Saudi Aramco.
8.12.3 Design calculations shall be assembled in an orderly manner and

checked. They shall include a summary of all loads and load
combinations considered in the design and a clear statement of design
assumptions. All computer models shall be accompanied by sketches
that show joint and member numbers, support conditions and loadings.
All design information shall be based on checked calculations.
9 Structural Design Criteria for Existing Structures
If it is demonstrated that the integrity of an existing structure is 100% of the

original design and the existing loading on the structure is 100% or less of the
original allowable capacity based on the materials used and design codes in
effect at the time of original design, structural designs shall be performed in
accordance with the following:
• If additions or alterations of an existing structure do not increase the force in

any structural element, connection or foundation by more than 5%, then no
further analysis is required.
• If the increased forces on the element or connection are greater than 5%,
then the element or connection shall be analyzed to show compliance with
the applicable code for new construction. Existing foundations shall also be
checked to ensure that they are adequate to support the additional loads.
• The strength of any structural element or connection shall not be decreased

to less than that required by the applicable design code or standard for new
construction, for the structure in question.
• Where structural elements are found to be unsound or structurally deficient,

such elements shall be made to conform to the applicable design code for
new structures.
• Modifications to existing structures with Seismic Design Categories other

than A shall comply with the requirements of SAES-M-301 and ASCE 7
Appendix 11B.
10 Fabrication and Installation
Fabrication and erection of structural and miscellaneous steel shall conform to

12-SAMSS-007 and 12-SAMSS-008.
11 Inspection and Testing
11.1 Inspection and testing of structural steel shall conform to 12-SAMSS-007.

11.2 Testing of ready-mix Portland cement concrete shall be in accordance with 09-
SAMSS-097.
11.3 All NDT personnel shall be qualified at least to the minimum requirements of
SAEP-1142.
Document History
30 May 2022 Major Revision
19 Nov 2020 Editorial Revision Add commentary note in paragraph 5.4.1 and change the contact
name.
11 March 2019 Major Revision
8 March 2017 Major Revision detailing structural dynamics and modal analysis requirements in
order to control structural vibrations within acceptable limit thus eliminating fatigue
failures as LL from WGP.
17 April 2016 Major Revision Revised the "Next Planned Update." Reaffirmed the content of the
document, and reissued.

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Engineering Standard 30 May 2022

Previous Revision: 19 November 2020 Next Revision: 30 May 2027

SUMMARY OF CHANGES ........................................................................................... 3

© Saudi Arabian Oil Company, 2022 Page 2 of 48

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

Paragraph Number Change Type

N/A 4 Addition Added Definitions section

5.1 6.10 Modification Moved dynamic loading to its

5.2.5.1 6.2.6.1 Modification Increase pipe load from 1.9

5.7 6.7 Modification Revised thermal load section

5.1.8 6.10.3a Modification Changed vibration velocity

N/A 8.6.5 Addition Added requirement for outdoor

3.2 3.2 Modification ASTM F3125/3125M has

5.1.12 6.10.5 Modification Removed reference to

N/A 6.2.4 Addition Added section to clarify

6.2 7.2 Modification Tables 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are

© Saudi Arabian Oil Company, 2022 Page 3 of 48

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

This standard covers the mandatory minimum requirements governing the

Buildings are covered by SAES-M-100, “Saudi Aramco Building Code.”

Pre-engineered buildings are covered by 12-SAMSS-014, “Pre-Engineered Metal

Communication towers are covered by SAES-T-744, "Design Criteria and Installation of

Offshore structures are covered by SAES-M-005, "Design and Construction of Fixed

2 Conflicts and Deviations

3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedures

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards

© Saudi Arabian Oil Company, 2022 Page 4 of 48

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

SAES-B-054 Access, Egress, and Material Handling for Plant

Saudi Aramco Materials System Specifications

Saudi Aramco Standard Drawings

Saudi Aramco Best Practice

© Saudi Arabian Oil Company, 2022 Page 5 of 48

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

Saudi Aramco Engineering Reports

3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

American Concrete Institute (ACI)

American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)

American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI)

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

American Petroleum Institute (API)

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

© Saudi Arabian Oil Company, 2022 Page 6 of 48

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

The American Welding Society (AWS)

Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA)

Precast / Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI)

Steel Deck Institute (SDI)

Steel Joist Institute (SJI)

Federal Standards and Instructions of the Occupational Safety and Health

US Department of Labor, Occupational Safety, and health Administration (OSHA)

© Saudi Arabian Oil Company, 2022 Page 7 of 48

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

Allowable Stress Design: Method of proportioning structural members such

Nominal Loads: Loads specified in this engineering standard such as dead,