Page 1 of 6

Pipe Stress Engineering

Pipe Stress
Engineering Section

Pipe Stress Analysis

001 01 001

Static Equivalent Seismic Force for

Design of Piping System
By
Piyapong Jai Ngam
Pipe Stress Engineer, Piping Engineering

Objectives
This article is for introducing the method of calculating seismic design load used in design
of piping system subjected to earthquake as method provided by ASCE 7. The static
equivalent seismic force factor, in acceleration unit, will be used for input in pipe stress
analysis software CAESAR II as static equivalent seismic load factor and will be considered
as occasional load.

II

Pre requisite for Readers

III

Table of Contents
1.0
2.0
3.0

Static Equivalent Method for Earthquake on Piping System

Seismic Design Force for Non Structural Components
Calculation Example

Attachment 1 ASCE 07 Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 for reference

Attachment 2 Spectral Response Acceleration for Thailand (.
References

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Pipe Stress Engineering

Pipe Stress Analysis

Page 2 of 6
001 01 001

Static Equivalent Method for Earthquake on Piping System

In practical piping engineering design, seismic load will be taken into account as static
equivalent load instead of considering the load and piping response in dynamic approaches
(response spectrum, time history analysis etc.). The main reason is that the latter solution
consumes much more time than static approach and requires more technical knowledge to
interpret the dynamic result. Figure 1 1 shows the concept idea of static equivalent method
practically used in design piping system with seismic load. Static equivalent seismic force will
produce the same effect from seismic load on displacement of piping system.

Equivalent Force

Ground Motion

Equivalent Force

Ground Motion
Fig.1 1 the concept idea of static equivalent method for seismic load

However, piping system is not just simple model as shown on figure 1 1. Pipe weight is
distributed uniformly along its length and seismic force is assumed to act at centre of gravity on
each pipe leg or element. Figure 1 2 shows the concept idea of static equivalent seismic force
when our concern is piping system. For uniform pipe, total weight,
can be calculated from

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Pipe Stress Analysis

Page 3 of 6
001 01 001

If we define
= Seismic design force on piping system
= Horizontal static equivalent seismic force factor (see section 2)
= weight per unit length of pipe (including fluid, insulation, cladding, lining etc.)
Seismic design force on piping system can be determined from following equation
=

The seismic design force will act at centre of gravity of piping system. However, in pipe stress
analysis model, this force magnitude will be distributed to each element centre of gravity by
fraction of element weight. Seismic element force in figure 1 2 can be determined from
=

Similar concept will be used for 2 and 3

Fig.1 2 Equivalent static seismic force distribution in piping system

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2.0

Pipe Stress Analysis

Page 4 of 6
001 01 001

Seismic Design Force for Non Structural Components

ASCE 7 (2010) provides the equation to determine the horizontal seismic design force in
section 13.3.1 as shown
=

0.4

1+2 "

And
1.6
0.3
Where
=
=
=
=
=
=
=

seismic design force

spectral acceleration for short period
(Attachment 1)
component amplification factor
(Attachment 1)
component importance factor
(Attachment 1)
component operating weight
component response modification factor
(Attachment 1)
height in structure of point of attachment of
component with respect to the base.
(Maximum z/h shall be 1.0)
average roof height of structure with respect
the base

The force
shall be applied independently in at least two orthogonal horizontal directions. In
addition, the force 0.2
can be considered as concurrent vertical force in piping design.
As ASCE 7 section 13.1.7, when reference documents use allowable stress design criteria (such as
ASME B31 piping code), seismic design force shall be multiplied by a factor of 0.7
Compare the seismic design force equation provided by ASCE 7 with
=

We get
=

And

0.4

1+2 "

1.6
0.3

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3.0

Pipe Stress Analysis

Page 5 of 6
001 01 001

Calculation Example

This example provides guideline for static equivalent seismic force factor calculating used
in CAESAR II uniform load input. Some of calculation parameters are based on assumption data. It is
the responsibility of readers to obtain the correct design parameters for each project requirement
before following the calculation steps outlined below:
Plant location is located in Rayong, Map Ta Put industrial estate, Ampur Muang Rayong, Thailand.
Step 1 : Calculate for

by the method outlined in Attachment 1

=

And
(

By referencing from Thailand Standard

2
3

(
)

(provided in Attachment 2),

for Ampur

Muang Rayong = 0.107

To determine ) site coefficient value, site class D can be assumed if no any applicable
information about soil properties and lookup for the value in Table 11.4 1 from ASCE 07
(provided in Attachment 1). Then we get ) site coefficient value = 1.6
(

= 1.6 0.107 = 0.1712

=

2
0.1712 0.1142
3

Step 2 : Lookup for

component amplification factor and
component response modification factor
By referencing Table 13.6 1 from ASCE 07 (Provided in Attachment 1), suitable case shall
be selected to obtain
and
= 2.5 and
= 6.0 will be selected for Piping in accordance with ASME
In this example
B31, including in line components, constructed of high or limited deformability materials,
with joints made by threading, bonding, compression couplings, or grooved couplings
Step 3 : Consider

component importance factor for piping system

As statement provided in section 13.1.3 from ASCE 07 (Provided in Attachment 1),

can be used for life safety purpose.

= 1.5

Step 4 : Consider h/z = 1.0 for design

As statement provided in section 13.1.3 from ASCE 07 (Provided in Attachment 1),
maximum value of h/z does not need to exceed 1.0
Step 5 : Calculate for
horizontal static equivalent seismic force factor or if required
for vertical static equivalent seismic force will be determined
=
And

0.4 2.5 0.1142

1 + 2 1 0.0857
6
"
1.5

0.3 0.1142 1.5 0.0514

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Pipe Stress Analysis

Page 6 of 6
001 01 001

1.6 0.1142 1.5 0.2741

And
From above calculation,

= 0.0857 will be selected

And for vertical direction,

= 0.2 0.1142 0.0229 will be applied (if required)

Before using these values with pipe stress analysis criteria outlined in ASME B31 with
allowable stress limitation, the values shall be multiplied with 0.7
1 = 0.7

0.06

Then g factor for uniform load in CAESAR II input should be as following

GX
GY
GZ

Vector 1
0.06

Vector 2

0.06

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Pipe Stress Analysis

ATTACHMENT 1
ASCE 07 CHAPTER 11 AND 13
FOR REFERENCE

2014 Pipe Stress Knowledge Management

Attachment 1
001 01 001

Pipe Stress
Engineering Section

Pipe Stress Engineering

Pipe Stress Analysis

ATTACHMENT 2
SPECTRAL RESPONSE ACCELERATION
IN THAILAND

2014 Pipe Stress Knowledge Management

References
001 01 001

 1.4-1
(SS) 1 (S1)

(g)
Ss
S1
0.113
0.102
0.110
0.108
0.105
0.097
0.099
0.099
0.110
0.100
0.123
0.105
0.089
0.092
0.160
0.113
0.876
0.253
0.689
0.199
0.826
0.238
0.475
0.138
0.698
0.202
0.593
0.172
0.429
0.127
0.704
0.205
0.435
0.128
0.673
0.195
0.777
0.233
0.595
0.171
0.491
0.144
0.046
0.028
0.046
0.028
0.048
0.028
0.055
0.029
0.062
0.031
0.049
0.028
0.054
0.029
0.059
0.031
0.073
0.033
0.050
0.029
0.048
0.028
0.048
0.028

(g)
Ss
S1
0.045
0.027
0.053
0.030
0.055
0.030
0.056
0.030
0.052
0.029
0.054
0.030
0.479
0.131
0.219
0.074
0.374
0.105
0.345
0.102
0.499
0.144
0.266
0.085
0.266
0.083
0.493
0.141
0.445
0.115
0.448
0.120
0.341
0.093
0.061
0.031
0.050
0.030
0.054
0.030
0.045
0.029
0.049
0.029
0.093
0.036
0.077
0.033
0.048
0.029
0.086
0.035
0.065
0.032
0.047
0.029
0.057
0.031
0.043
0.028
0.053
0.030
0.044
0.029
0.125
0.039
0.076
0.034
0.050
0.030
0.054
0.030
0.045
0.029
0.047
0.029

____________________________________________________________________

. 1302

10

(g)
Ss
S1
0.106
0.037
0.060
0.032
0.042
0.028
0.075
0.033
0.044
0.030
0.051
0.033
0.051
0.032
0.040
0.029
0.044
0.031
0.040
0.029
0.041
0.030
0.042
0.030
0.041
0.029
0.042
0.031
0.059
0.034
0.106
0.041
0.064
0.036
0.077
0.038
0.118
0.041
0.186
0.054
0.105
0.039
0.144
0.047
0.149
0.044
0.140
0.044
0.177
0.049
0.140
0.047
0.119
0.040
0.351
0.111
0.378
0.114
0.143
0.065
0.161
0.070
0.200
0.079
0.151
0.069
0.116
0.060
0.212
0.083
0.048
0.034
0.080
0.035
0.053
0.032

(g)
Ss
S1
0.048
0.030
0.118
0.038
0.045
0.032
0.048
0.035
0.045
0.031
0.049
0.032
0.062
0.032
0.047
0.033
0.061
0.036
0.062
0.032
0.047
0.031
0.061
0.034
0.050
0.033
0.093
0.078
0.081
0.079
0.085
0.075
0.091
0.093
0.088
0.080
0.081
0.082
0.082
0.080
0.082
0.082
0.924
0.270
0.833
0.241
0.650
0.169
0.706
0.191
0.935
0.273
0.619
0.157
0.618
0.154
0.672
0.180
0.656
0.173
0.798
0.232
0.940
0.278
0.929
0.275
0.735
0.211
0.749
0.209
0.933
0.273
0.683
0.175
0.753
0.215

____________________________________________________________________

11

. 1302

(g)
Ss
S1
0.759
0.194
0.832
0.248
0.740
0.187
0.796
0.243
0.933
0.266
0.909
0.262
0.739
0.237
0.821
0.225
0.927
0.271
0.850
0.237
0.878
0.248
0.776
0.242
0.914
0.260
0.896
0.254
0.847
0.248
0.963
0.283
0.959
0.273
0.884
0.258
0.835
0.230
0.890
0.251
0.844
0.244
0.847
0.236
0.853
0.243
0.771
0.244
0.744
0.237
0.091
0.096
0.082
0.090
0.079
0.085
0.092
0.097
0.087
0.094
0.084
0.092
0.085
0.093
0.089
0.094
0.093
0.097
0.085
0.092
0.036
0.027
0.038
0.029
0.038
0.028

(g)
Ss
S1
0.033
0.023
0.034
0.023
0.037
0.027
0.036
0.027
0.037
0.028
0.485
0.135
0.664
0.184
0.498
0.153
0.500
0.152
0.481
0.140
0.575
0.171
0.525
0.154
0.509
0.162
0.544
0.162
0.265
0.093
0.098
0.033
0.326
0.065
0.096
0.032
0.081
0.031
0.274
0.059
0.139
0.040
0.356
0.073
0.134
0.038
0.229
0.050
0.299
0.060
0.120
0.035
0.245
0.054
0.047
0.035
0.043
0.029
0.043
0.031
0.039
0.027
0.039
0.026
0.042
0.028
0.045
0.030
0.042
0.031
0.043
0.030
0.041
0.028
0.040
0.029

____________________________________________________________________

. 1302

12

(g)
Ss
S1
0.039
0.028
0.040
0.029
0.039
0.027
0.040
0.029
0.045
0.033
0.041
0.028
0.043
0.031
0.041
0.029
0.043
0.029
0.045
0.031
0.041
0.028
0.042
0.032
0.047
0.036
0.040
0.028
0.041
0.030
0.043
0.032
0.043
0.033
0.043
0.032
0.038
0.027
0.039
0.028
0.039
0.027
0.075
0.081
0.071
0.075
0.065
0.067
0.073
0.079
0.077
0.083
0.069
0.074
0.071
0.077
0.067
0.071
0.081
0.086
0.067
0.071
0.076
0.082
0.083
0.088
0.077
0.083
0.082
0.089
0.065
0.068
0.070
0.074
0.069
0.074

(g)
Ss
S1
0.074
0.079
0.068
0.073
0.072
0.078
0.072
0.077
0.065
0.068
0.066
0.070
0.471
0.136
0.503
0.146
0.176
0.067
0.226
0.081
0.116
0.055
0.082
0.050
0.103
0.056
0.086
0.049
0.229
0.078
0.159
0.068
0.072
0.046
0.175
0.069
0.491
0.142
0.454
0.127
0.081
0.047
0.063
0.062
0.058
0.057
0.056
0.054
0.058
0.058
0.057
0.056
0.059
0.058
0.060
0.059
0.062
0.061
0.061
0.059
0.064
0.062
0.062
0.060
0.059
0.057
0.059
0.057
0.641
0.154
0.636
0.147
0.834
0.215
0.893
0.222

____________________________________________________________________

13

. 1302

(g)
Ss
S1
0.766
0.192
0.544
0.124
0.571
0.129
0.596
0.138
0.572
0.132
0.874
0.235
0.629
0.150
0.565
0.133
0.540
0.126
0.697
0.167
0.714
0.177
0.036
0.024
0.038
0.026
0.037
0.025
0.038
0.026
0.036
0.025
0.037
0.026
0.037
0.026
0.041
0.027
0.036
0.026
0.037
0.027
0.034
0.024
0.041
0.027
0.035
0.024
0.036
0.026
0.035
0.024
0.040
0.027
0.036
0.025
0.036
0.025
0.037
0.026
0.037
0.025
0.038
0.027
0.038
0.027
0.036
0.025
0.306
0.088
0.302
0.086
0.184
0.079
0.144
0.078

(g)
Ss
S1
0.116
0.074
0.283
0.085
0.279
0.086
0.245
0.081
0.047
0.033
0.045
0.033
0.051
0.035
0.053
0.036
0.054
0.034
0.063
0.037
0.060
0.059
0.061
0.061
0.064
0.064
0.058
0.057
0.065
0.067
0.058
0.059
0.061
0.061
0.062
0.062
0.062
0.062
0.060
0.061
0.058
0.058
0.064
0.065
0.078
0.048
0.096
0.053
0.150
0.065
0.111
0.056
0.103
0.055
0.090
0.052
0.138
0.063
0.104
0.055
0.083
0.049
0.096
0.053
0.616
0.143
0.608
0.144
0.597
0.139
0.603
0.141
0.580
0.132
0.605
0.138

____________________________________________________________________

. 1302

14

(g)
Ss
S1
0.584
0.136
0.630
0.146
0.641
0.155
0.136
0.117
0.179
0.118
0.110
0.116
0.176
0.119
0.122
0.119
0.138
0.110
0.184
0.125
0.161
0.115
0.164
0.115
0.078
0.085
0.074
0.080
0.075
0.082
0.078
0.085
0.077
0.084
0.074
0.080
0.072
0.078
0.078
0.085
0.072
0.077
0.076
0.082
0.073
0.080
0.087
0.047
0.164
0.062
0.126
0.052
0.108
0.051
0.086
0.046
0.107
0.052
0.138
0.059
0.138
0.057
0.137
0.056
0.202
0.068
0.112
0.050
0.173
0.063
0.443
0.097
0.317
0.071
0.133
0.051

(g)
Ss
S1
0.146
0.056
0.279
0.078
0.426
0.104
0.259
0.074
0.236
0.068
0.381
0.091
0.272
0.109
0.188
0.081
0.180
0.082
0.173
0.081
0.183
0.084
0.160
0.076
0.261
0.107
0.172
0.049
0.080
0.042
0.234
0.050
0.059
0.039
0.122
0.042
0.096
0.045
0.055
0.038
0.053
0.039
0.066
0.039
0.251
0.055
0.238
0.052
0.783
0.193
0.847
0.214
0.636
0.146
0.769
0.184
1.021
0.276
0.628
0.143
0.795
0.195
0.787
0.191
0.207
0.131
0.211
0.129
0.199
0.129
0.048
0.028
0.045
0.028
0.054
0.030

____________________________________________________________________

15

. 1302

(g)
Ss
S1
0.043
0.027
0.047
0.029
0.051
0.029
0.042
0.027
0.040
0.026
0.044
0.028
0.039
0.026
0.045
0.028
0.040
0.027
0.041
0.026
0.053
0.028
0.062
0.030
0.046
0.026
0.047
0.026
0.054
0.027
0.048
0.027
0.066
0.029
0.760
0.208
0.967
0.269
0.940
0.268
0.860
0.226
0.701
0.199
0.707
0.195
0.729
0.200
0.041
0.025
0.035
0.023
0.037
0.024
0.040
0.025
0.041
0.025
0.038
0.024
0.036
0.024
0.039
0.025
0.043
0.026
0.066
0.066
0.071
0.073
0.071
0.071
0.067
0.067
0.079
0.077

(g)
Ss
S1
0.064
0.064
0.067
0.068
0.063
0.062
0.043
0.027
0.041
0.026
0.037
0.024
0.038
0.025
0.040
0.026
0.044
0.027
0.042
0.026
0.039
0.026
0.038
0.024
0.044
0.027
0.037
0.024
0.045
0.027
0.046
0.027
0.042
0.027
0.040
0.026
0.042
0.027
0.038
0.025
0.041
0.026
0.045
0.027
0.040
0.025
0.098
0.089
0.100
0.105
0.096
0.098
0.092
0.092
0.105
0.112
0.060
0.036
0.064
0.035
0.118
0.042
0.097
0.040
0.113
0.043
0.150
0.044
0.107
0.042
0.079
0.037
0.319
0.118
0.524
0.154

____________________________________________________________________

. 1302

16

(g)
Ss
S1
0.365
0.115
0.347
0.112
0.436
0.138
0.061
0.042
0.071
0.047
0.052
0.039
0.093
0.054
0.052
0.039
0.082
0.050
0.057
0.041
0.071
0.046
0.048
0.036
0.062
0.043
0.072
0.047
0.740
0.184
0.637
0.142
0.702
0.160
0.597
0.166
0.714
0.170
0.738
0.177
0.836
0.210
0.556
0.162
0.692
0.155
0.782
0.194
0.956
0.265
0.734
0.197
0.723
0.178
0.808
0.245
0.742
0.215
0.784
0.209
0.792
0.238
0.838
0.240
0.835
0.232
0.781
0.211
0.675
0.210
0.221
0.049
0.201
0.047
0.288
0.067

(g)
Ss
S1
0.315
0.069
0.307
0.070
0.192
0.047
0.413
0.088
0.223
0.054
0.172
0.043
0.171
0.042
0.306
0.067
0.272
0.056
0.239
0.054
0.249
0.054
0.030
0.020
0.033
0.022
0.035
0.023
0.036
0.024
0.032
0.021
0.031
0.021
0.032
0.021
0.032
0.021
0.035
0.024
0.031
0.020
0.033
0.022
0.033
0.022
0.032
0.021
0.031
0.021
0.035
0.023
0.034
0.022
0.034
0.022
0.035
0.023
0.033
0.022
0.032
0.021
0.034
0.023
0.034
0.023
0.070
0.033
0.134
0.039
0.186
0.049
0.078
0.032
0.121
0.039

____________________________________________________________________

17

. 1302

(g)
Ss
S1
0.067
0.031
0.075
0.034
0.162
0.045
0.091
0.035
0.092
0.036
0.109
0.035
0.062
0.031
0.087
0.033
0.126
0.040
0.085
0.035
0.100
0.037
0.099
0.037
0.154
0.043
0.069
0.074
0.077
0.083
0.072
0.076
0.074
0.079
0.070
0.074
0.073
0.079
0.069
0.073
0.066
0.068
0.072
0.076
0.069
0.073
0.068
0.072
0.077
0.083
0.069
0.073
0.079
0.084
0.069
0.071
0.074
0.079
0.084
0.091
0.083
0.090
0.084
0.091
0.089
0.095
0.088
0.094
0.087
0.093
0.092
0.097
0.036
0.026
0.043
0.030

(g)
Ss
S1
0.043
0.030
0.040
0.029
0.035
0.025
0.042
0.030
0.042
0.030
0.039
0.028
0.037
0.027
0.060
0.042
0.069
0.045
0.088
0.051
0.077
0.048
0.072
0.046
0.054
0.039
0.054
0.040
0.072
0.046
0.078
0.048
0.078
0.049
0.111
0.058
0.108
0.058
0.116
0.060
0.097
0.054
0.102
0.056
0.110
0.058
0.441
0.108
0.446
0.110
0.500
0.126
0.460
0.119
0.458
0.116
0.628
0.154
0.535
0.131
0.473
0.118
0.512
0.126
0.335
0.108
0.472
0.136
0.178
0.075
0.193
0.077
0.245
0.089
0.176
0.073

____________________________________________________________________

. 1302

18

(g)
Ss
S1
0.237
0.087
0.191
0.078
0.298
0.101
0.335
0.108
0.074
0.076
0.090
0.093
0.061
0.061
0.062
0.062
0.088
0.092
0.082
0.087
0.098
0.094
0.078
0.080
0.068
0.069
0.080
0.083
0.080
0.082
0.095
0.096
0.079
0.083
0.078
0.083
0.101
0.098
0.098
0.095
0.079
0.083
0.077
0.080
0.080
0.084
0.033
0.023
0.035
0.024
0.035
0.024
0.034
0.023
0.033
0.023
0.036
0.024
0.037
0.025
0.036
0.024
0.032
0.022
0.034
0.024
0.035
0.024
0.036
0.024
0.034
0.023
0.034
0.023
0.036
0.024

(g)
Ss
S1
0.033
0.022
0.034
0.023
0.213
0.050
0.233
0.052
0.230
0.053
0.217
0.048
0.216
0.053
0.214
0.053
0.240
0.052
0.323
0.072
0.318
0.067
0.345
0.075
0.258
0.059
0.213
0.054
0.246
0.053
0.221
0.049
0.222
0.051
0.273
0.064
0.221
0.053
0.182
0.045
0.199
0.048
0.088
0.035
0.150
0.041
0.110
0.037
0.223
0.051
0.104
0.056
0.110
0.056
0.132
0.064
0.108
0.057
0.123
0.060
0.139
0.065
0.119
0.060
0.044
0.025
0.038
0.024
0.036
0.023
0.038
0.024
0.037
0.023
0.040
0.025

____________________________________________________________________

19

. 1302

(g)
Ss
S1
0.037
0.024
0.104
0.037
0.141
0.040
0.213
0.048
0.116
0.037
0.118
0.038
0.149
0.041
0.236
0.055
0.237
0.054
0.090
0.035
0.206
0.049
0.233
0.052
0.208
0.048
0.288
0.058
0.205
0.046
0.067
0.032
0.077
0.033
0.284
0.058
0.140
0.040
0.121
0.038
0.145
0.041
0.699
0.167
0.583
0.135
0.693
0.159
0.550
0.119
0.505
0.109
0.632
0.154
0.526
0.115
0.596
0.138
0.576
0.135
0.237
0.082
0.279
0.093
0.155
0.066
0.305
0.094
0.201
0.073
0.179
0.072
0.269
0.089
0.351
0.104

(g)
Ss
S1
0.037
0.023
0.031
0.020
0.029
0.019
0.032
0.021
0.034
0.022
0.037
0.023
0.039
0.024
0.035
0.023
0.032
0.020
0.034
0.022
0.031
0.020
0.035
0.022
0.033
0.021
0.030
0.020
0.028
0.018
0.029
0.019
0.029
0.019
0.031
0.020
0.036
0.023
0.035
0.023
0.033
0.021
0.033
0.021
0.034
0.021
0.032
0.021
0.031
0.020

____________________________________________________________________

. 1302

20

Pipe Stress
Engineering Section

Pipe Stress Engineering

Pipe Stress Analysis

References
001 01 001

References
1. ASCE 07 10 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, American
Society of Civil Engineering
2.

3. CAESAR II v5.30 Online Documentation, Intergraph

2014 Pipe Stress Knowledge Management