Supporting of Piping Systems: Few

Guidelines
23rd August 2014
WANT2LEARN

Introduction:
Piping systems -Major Part of any hydrocarbon industry.
Pipes as irregular space frames usually not self supporting.
Proper pipe support knowledge during layout stage is advantageous.
Loads to be transmitted from pipe to supporting structures with the help of pipe supports.
Why Pipe supports are necessary ?:
To prevent..
Pipe stresses in excess to code allowable limits.
Leakages in flanged joints etc.
Excessive Line Vibrations.
Undesirable effects of Seismic loading.
Unintentional disengagement (lift off) of piping from its supports.
Excessive pipe sag (Normally more than 10 mm for process piping and 2.5 mm for power piping).
Exposure of elements to temperature extremes, outside their design limit.
Undesirable line movements to protect sensitive equipment against overloading.
Excessive loading in support itself
To limit thermal expansion
Codes and Standards on pipe supports:
MSS-SP-58- Establishes the material, design, and inspection criteria to be used in the manufacturing
of standard pipe supports. (USA)
MSS-SP-69- Provides recommendations for the selection and application of pipe supports. (USA)
MSS-SP-89- Provides recommendations for the fabrication and installation of pipe supports. (USA)
BS-3974- Specification of pipe supports 1, 2, 3. (UK)
VGB-R-510 L- Standard supports guidelines. (Germany)
RCC-M- Specifications for pipe supports. (France)
MITI 501- Technical regulations (J apan)
Design and selection of pipe supports:
The complex requirement of todays support elements are, reliable functioning, maintenance free
operation, economic and easy installations, quick delivery of components and low unit prices.
Major Criteria governing support hardware are Support function, Magnitude of expected load, space
limitations, design temp of piping system, expansion effects of piping systems, piping attachment and
supporting structure material compatibility, piping insulation, suitability to environment, ease of
operation, inspection and installation.
Layout considerations for Supports:
Group pipe lines so as to minimize the number of structures needed solely to pipe supports.
Route lines close to the possible point of supports ( i.e. grade or structure which is provided for other
purposes.)
Supports or braces to be located at or near neutral pts. (thermal null pts)
Supports to be located as near as possible to concentrated loads such as valves, flanges, heavy
actuators etc.
Piping susceptible to vibration such as compressor connected lines to be supported independently.
The use of hold down or similar supports offering resistance to motion and providing some damping
capacity to be used rather than hanging type supports.
Piping connected to top of vessel to be advantageously supported from the vessel to minimize relative
movement between supports and piping.
Always maintain the distance between supports as per project specification recommended support
span table. ( it is applicable to straight run pipe length only.) When change of direction in a horizontal
plane occur, it is suggested that the spacing be limited to times the standard pipe span.
Sufficient space to be provided to facilitate support assembly installation, inspection and maintenance.
General support terminology and basic function:
Restraint- Any device that prevents, resists, or limits the free thermal movement of piping.
Brace- A device primarily intended to resist displacement of piping due to forces other than thermal
expansion and gravity.
Anchor- A rigid restraint providing substantially full fixation.
Stop- A device which permits rotation but prevents translatory movements of piping.
Guide- A device which prevents the rotation about one or more axis.
Hold Down Support- A device which holds the pipe in position disallowing vertical upwards
movement or allows only decided upward movement.
Hanger- A support by which piping is suspended from a structure which functions by carrying piping
load in tension.
Resilient support- A support which includes one or more largely elastic members to carry pipe sustain
+thermal loads at the same time allowing pipe thermal movement in the desired direction.
Sliding support- A device which is provided below piping to take gravity loads, offering no resistance
other than frictional to horizontal motion.
Rigid support- A support providing stiffness in at least one direction.
Damping element- A device which increases damping of a system offering high resistance against
rapid displacement, caused by dynamic loading while permitting essentially free movement.
Types of Supports:
Hanger Supports 1) Variable Hanger 2) Constant Hanger 3) Rigid Hanger.
Dynamically Loaded Supports 1) Struts 2) Snubbers 3) Sway Brace 4) Energy absorbers 5) Pipe
Clamps 6) Pipe whip / Hold down restraints.
Pipe Bearing Components 1) Pipe Saddle 2) Pipe Shoe 3) Pipe Trunnion 4) Wear Pad.
Threaded Members 1) welding nut 2) welded beam attachment 3) Clevis 4) Turn buckle 5) Tie rod
6) Stud bolt, nut, locknut, spring washers etc.
Slide Bearing Plates Teflon, Stainless steel, graphite.
Pipe Supports for Cold Service.
Depending on Support Position-Primary Support and Secondary Support
Pipe Support Manufacturers:
Piping Technology and Products Ltd.
Carpenter and Paterson Ltd.
Lisega ltd.
Binder Group Ltd.
Pipe Support Group Ltd.
Sarathi Engg Ent Pvt Ltd.
Anvil Group etc to name a few
Support Engineering:
Minimum Data required to start supporting:
1. Piping GAD
2. Electrical and Inst cable trench/trays layouts
3. Civil and Structural drawings
4. Piping spec and line list
5. Insulation spec
6. Valves weights
7. Equipment connection displacements
8. Stress recommendations (Stress isometrics) and Support loads.
Pipe Span :
Typically piping is supported at regular intervals on steel supports embedded in concrete foundation or
directly on steel structure. The distance between supports is the span.
Basis for calculation of Maximum support span:
There are three main factors which affects the support span.
Stress
Deflection/ sagging and
Frequency of piping system (for two phase flow lines, reciprocating equipment connected lines,
vibrating lines etc.)
Guidelines for Typical Piping System:
1. Supporting of Stress Critical Lines:
Criteria for critical lines
Support location by Designers
Support type by stress engineer
Primary attachments and secondary supports by designers
Line stop/Guide gaps to be taken care
ii. Supporting of non critical lines:
Sr. designer to decide support type
Support span
Guide span
Concentrated loads e.g. valves, inst
Long piping leg, stress engineer to be consulted
iii. Supporting of Insulated Pipes:
No direct resting, pipe shoe to be provided
Min. clearance between the insulation and the supporting structure shall be at least 50 mm.
iv. Supporting of Non- Insulated Pipes:
Directly rested except following
Pipes with sizes larger than DN 600
CS pipes with less than SCH 20
SS pipes with less than SCH 10S
The pipe require a slope
Dissimilar material to avoid galvanic corrosion
Pipe to be supported on pipe shoe to avoid damaging to pipe wall
v. Vertical pipes:
Standard span chart does not apply
Supports to be located on the upper half of the portion (i.e. above C.G. of pipe)
Vertical guide spacing
Clamped supports with weld-on shear lugs to avoid the pipe slipping under the clamp