Pipe support

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A pipe support or pipe hanger is a designed element that transfer the load from a
pipe to the supporting structures. The load includes the weight of the pipe proper,
the content that the pipe carries, all the pipe fittings attached to pipe, and the
pipe covering such as insulation. The four main functions of a pipe support are to
anchor, guide, absorb shock, and support a specified load. Pipe supports used in
high or low temperature applications may contain insulation materials. The overall
design configuration of a pipe support assembly is dependent on the loading and
operating conditions.

Contents
1 Loads on piping system
1.1 Primary Load
1.2 Secondary Load
2 Types of pipe supports
2.1 Rigid Support
2.2 Spring Support[3]
2.3 Snubber or Shock Absorber
3 Materials
4 Standards
5 References
Loads on piping system
Primary Load
These are typically steady or sustained types of loads such as internal fluid
pressure, external pressure, gravitational forces acting on the pipe such as weight
of pipe and fluid, forces due to relief or blow down, pressure waves generated due
to water/steam hammer effects.[1]

Sustained Loads:

Internal/External Pressure : A pipe used for transporting fluid would be under

internal pressure load. A pipe such as a jacketed pipe core or tubes in a Shell &
Tube ex-changer etc. may be under net external pressure. Internal or external
pressure induces stresses in the axial as well as circumferential (Hoop Stress)
directions. The pressure also induces stresses in the radial direction, but these
are often neglected. The internal pressure exerts an axial force equal to pressure
times the internal cross section of the pipe. F =P[pd^2/4]. If outer diameter is
used for calculating approximate metal cross-section as Pressure well as pipe
cross-section, the axial stress can often be approximated as follows : S =Pd /(4t)
Dead Weight : It is the self weight of pipe including fluid, weight of fittings &
other inline components (say valve, insulation etc.). This type of loads act
throughout the life cycle of pipe. In horizontal pipes, these loads cause bending,
and the bending moment is related to normal and shear stresses. Pipe bending is
caused mainly due to two reasons : distributed weight load (e.g. fluid weight) and
concentrated weight load (e.g. valve weight). The weight of risers (vertical
sections of pipe) can be supported by riser clamps.
Occasional Loads:

Wind Load, Piping which are located outdoors and thus exposed to wind will be
designed to withstand the maximum wind velocity expected during the plant operating
life. Wind force is modeled as a uniform load acting upon the projected length of
the pipe perpendicular to the direction of the wind. Wind pressure for various
elevations will be used to calculate wind force using the following formula. Fw =
Pw x S x A, where Fw = The total wind force, Pw = The equivalent wind pressure, S =
Wind shape factor, A = Pipe exposed area.
Seismic Load : Seismic load is one of the basic concepts of earthquake engineering
which means application of an earthquake-generated agitation to a structure. It
happens at contact surfaces of a structure either with the ground,[2] or with
adjacent structures,[3] or with gravity waves from tsunami.
Water Hammer : Water hammerContents
1 Loads on piping system
1.1 Primary Load
1.2 Secondary Load
2 Types of pipe supports
2.1 Rigid Support
2.2 Spring Support[3]
2.3 Snubber or Shock Absorber
3 MaterialsContents
1 Loads on piping system
1.1 Primary Load
1.2 Secondary Load
2 Types of pipe supports
2.1 Rigid Support
2.2 Spring Support[3]
2.3 Snubber or Shock Absorber
3 Materials
4 Standards
5 References
Loads on piping system
Primary Load
These are typically steady or sustained types of loads such as internal fluid
pressure, external pressure, gravitational forces acting on the pipe such as weight
of pipe and fluid, forces due to relief or blow down, pressure waves generated due
to water/steam hammer effects.[1]

Sustained Loads:

Internal/External Pressure : A pipe used for transporting fluid would be under

internal pressure load. A pipe such as a jacketed pipe core or tubes in a Shell &
Tube ex-changer etc. may be under net external pressure. Internal or external
pressure induces stresses in the axial as well as circumferential (Hoop Stress)
directions. The pressure also induces stresses in the radial direction, but these
are often neglected. The internal pressure exerts an axial force equal to pressure
times the internal cross section of the pipe. F =P[pd^2/4]. If outer diameter is
used for calculating approximate metal cross-section as Pressure well as pipe
cross-section, the axial stress can often be approximated as follows : S =Pd /(4t)
Dead Weight : It is the self weight of pipe including fluid, weight of fittings &
other inline components (say valve, insulation etc.). This type of loads act
throughout the life cycle of pipe. In horizontal pipes, these loads cause bending,
and the bending moment is related to normal and shear stresses. Pipe bending is
caused mainly due to two reasons : distributed weight load (e.g. fluid weight) and
concentrated weight load (e.g. valve weight). The weight of risers (vertical
sections of pipe) can be supported by riser clamps.
Occasional Loads:
Contents
1 Loads on piping system
1.1 Primary Load
1.2 Secondary Load
2 Types of pipe supports
2.1 Rigid Support
2.2 Spring Support[3]
2.3 Snubber or Shock Absorber
3 MaterialsContents
1 Loads on piping system
1.1 Primary Load
1.2 Secondary Load
2 Types of pipe supports
2.1 Rigid Support
2.2 Spring Support[3]
2.3 Snubber or Shock Absorber
3 Materials
4 Standards
5 References
Loads on piping system
Primary LoadContents
1 Loads on piping system
1.1 Primary Load
1.2 Secondary Load
2 Types of pipe supports
2.1 Rigid Support
2.2 Spring Support[3]
2.3 Snubber or Shock Absorber
3 Materials
4 Standards
5 References
Loads on piping system
Primary Load
These are typically steady or sustained types of loads such as internal fluid
pressure, external pressure, gravitational forces acting on the pipe such as weight
of pipe and fluid, forces due to relief or blow down, pressure waves generated due
to water/steam hammer effects.[1]

Sustained Loads:

Internal/External Pressure : A pipe used for transporting fluid would be under

internal pressure load. A pipe such as a jacketed pipe core or tubes in a Shell &
Tube ex-changer etc. may be under net external pressure. Internal or external
pressure induces stresses in the axial as well as circumferential (Hoop Stress)
directions. The pressure also induces stresses in the radial direction, but these
are often neglected. The internal pressure exerts an axial force equal to pressure
times the internal cross section of the pipe. F =P[pd^2/4]. If outer diameter is
used for calculating approximate metal cross-section as Pressure well as pipe
cross-section, the axial stress can often be approximated as follows : S =Pd /(4t)
Dead Weight : It is the self weight of pipe including fluid, weight of fittings &
other inline components (say valve, insulation etc.). This type of loads act
throughout the life cycle of pipe. In horizontal pipes, these loads cause bending,
and the bending moment is related to normal and shear stresses. Pipe bending is
caused mainly due to two reasons : distributed weight load (e.g. fluid weight) and
concentrated weight load (e.g. valve weight). The weight of risers (vertical
sections of pipe) can be supported by riser clamps.
Occasional Loads:

Wind Load, Piping which are located outdoors and thus exposed to wind will be
designed to withstand the maximum wind velocity expected during the plant operating
life. Wind force is modeled as a uniform load acting upon the projected length of
the pipe perpendicular to the direction of the wind. Wind pressure for various
elevations will be used to calculate wind force using the following formula. Fw =
Pw x S x A, where Fw = The total wind force, Pw = The equivalent wind pressure, S =
Wind shape factor, A = Pipe exposed area.
Seismic Load : Seismic load is one of the basic concepts of earthquake engineering
which means application of an earthquake-generated agitation to a structure. It
happens at contact surfaces of a structure either with the ground,[2] or with
adjacent structures,[3] or with gravity waves from tsunami.
Water Hammer : Water haContents
1 Loads on piping system
1.1 Primary Load
1.2 Secondary Load
2 Types of pipe supports
2.1 Rigid Support
2.2 Spring Support[3]
2.3 Snubber or Shock Absorber
3 Materials
4 Standards
5 References
Loads on piping system
Primary Load
These are typically steady or sustained types of loads such as internal fluid
pressure, external pressure, gravitational forces acting on the pipe such as weight
of pipe and fluid, forces due to relief or blow down, pressure waves generated due
to water/steam hammer effects.[1]

Sustained Loads:

Internal/External Pressure : A pipe used for transporting fluid would be under

internal pressure load. A pipe such as a jacketed pipe core or tubes in a Shell &
Tube ex-changer etc. may be under net external pressure. Internal or external
pressure induces stresses in the axial as well as circumferential (Hoop Stress)
directions. The pressure also induces stresses in the radial direction, but these
are often neglected. The internal pressure exerts an axial force equal to pressure
times the internal cross section of the pipe. F =P[pd^2/4]. If outer diameter is
used for calculating approximate metal cross-section as Pressure well as pipe
cross-section, the axial stress can often be approximated as follows : S =Pd /(4t)
Dead Weight : It is the self weight of pipe including fluid, weight of fittings &
other inline components (say valve, insulation etc.). This type of loads act
throughout the life cycle of pipe. In horizontal pipes, these loads cause bending,
and the bending moment is related to normal and shear stresses. Pipe bending is
caused mainly due to two reasons : distributed weight load (e.g. fluid weight) and
concentrated weight load (e.g. valve weight). The weight of risers (vertical
sections of pipe) can be supported by riser clamps.
Occasional Loads:

Wind Load, Piping which are located outdoors and thus exposed to wind will be
designed to withstand the maximum wind velocity expected during the plant operating
life. Wind force is modeled as a uniform load acting upon the projected length of
the pipe perpendicular to the direction of the wind. Wind pressure for various
elevations will be used to calculate wind force using the following formula. Fw =
Pw x S x A, where Fw = The total wind force, Pw = The equivalent wind pressure, S =
Wind shape factor, A = Pipe exposed area.
Seismic Load : Seismic load is one of the basic concepts of earthquake engineering
which means application of an earthquake-generated agitation to a structure. It
happens at contact surfaces of a structure either with the ground,[2] or with
adjacent structures,[3] or with gravity waves from tsunami.
Water Hammer : Water hammer (or more generally, fluid hammer) is a pressure surge
or wave caused when a fluid (usually a liquid but sometimes also a gas) in motion
is forced to stop or change direction suddenly (momentum change). Water hammer
commonly occurs when a valve closes suddenly at an end of a pipeline system, and a
pressure wave propagates in the pipe. It's also called hydraulic shock.
Steam hammer : Steam hammer, the pressure surge generated by transient flow of
super-heated or saturated steam in a steam-line due to sudden stop valve closures
is considered as an occasional load. Though the flow is transient, for the purpose
of piping stress analysis, only the unbalanced force along the pipe segment tending
to induce piping vibration is calculated and applied on the piping model as static
equivalent force.
Safety Valve Discharge : Reaction forces from relief valve discharge is considered
as an occasional load. The reaction force due to steady state flow following the
opening of safety relief valve in an open discharge installation can be calculated
in accordance with ASME B31.1 Appendix II and applied on the piping model as static
equivalent force.
Secondary Load
Just as the primary loContents
1 Loads on piping system
1.1 Primary Load
1.2 Secondary Load
2 Types of pipe supports
2.1 Rigid Support
2.2 Spring Support[3]
2.3 Snubber or Shock Absorber
3 Materials
4 Standards
5 References
Loads on piping system
Primary Load
These are typically steady or sustained types of loads such as internal fluid
pressure, external pressure, gravitational forces acting on the pipe such as weight
of pipe and fluid, forces due to relief or blow down, pressure waves generated due
to water/steam hammer effects.[1]

Sustained Loads:

Internal/External Pressure : A pipe used for transporting fluid would be under

internal pressure load. A pipe such as a jacketed pipe core or tubes in a Shell &
Tube ex-changer etc. may be under net external pressure. Internal or external
pressure induces stresses in the axial as well as circumferential (Hoop Stress)
directions. The pressure also induces stresses in the radial direction, but these
are often neglected. The internal pressure exerts an axial force equal to pressure
times the internal cross section of the pipe. F =P[pd^2/4]. If outer diameter is
used for calculating approximate metal cross-section as Pressure well as pipe
cross-section, the axial stress can often be approximated as follows : S =Pd /(4t)
Dead Weight : It is the self weight of pipe including fluid, weight of fittings &
other inline components (say valve, insulation etc.). This type of loads act
throughout the life cycle of pipe. In horizontal pipes, these loads cause bending,
and the bending moment is related to normal and shear stresses. Pipe bending is
caused mainly due to two reasons : distributed weight load (e.g. fluid weight) and
concentrated weight load (e.g. valve weight). The weight of risers (vertical
sections of pipe) can be supported by riser clamps.
Occasional Loads:

Wind Load, Piping which are located outdoors and thus exposed to wind will be
designed to withstand the maximum wind velocity expected during the plant operating
life. Wind force is modeled as a uniform load acting upon the projected length of
the pipe perpendicular to the direction of the wind. Wind pressure for various
elevations will be used to calculate wind force using the following formula. Fw =
Pw x S x A, where Fw = The total wind force, Pw = The equivalent wind pressure, S =
Wind shape factor, A = Pipe exposed area.
Seismic Load : Seismic load is one of the basic concepts of earthquake engineering
which means application of an earthquake-generated agitation to a structure. It
happens at contact surfaces of a structure either with the ground,[2] or with
adjacent structures,[3] or with gravity waves from tsunami.
Water Hammer : Water hammer (or more generally, fluid hammer) is a pressure surge
or wave caused when a fluid (usually a liquid but sometimes also a gas) in motion
is forced to stop or change direction suddenly (momentum change). Water hammer
commonly occurs when a valve closes suddenly at an end of a pipeline system, and a
pressure wave propagates in the pipe. It's also called hydraulic shock.
Steam hammer : Steam hammer, the pressure surge generated by transient flow of
super-heated or saturated steam in a steam-line due to sudden stop valve closures
is considered as an occasional load. Though the flow is transient, for the purpose
of piping stress analysis, only the unbalanced force along the pipe segment tending
to induce piping vibration is calculated and applied on the piping model as static
equivalent force.
Safety Valve Discharge : Reaction forces from relief valve discharge is considered
as an occasional load. The reaction force due to steady state flow following the
opening of safety relief valve in an open discharge installation can be calculated
in accordance with ASME B31.1 Appendix II and applied on the piping model as static
equivalent force.
Secondary Load
Just as the primary loads have their origin in some force, secondary loads are
caused by displacement of some kind. For example, the pipe connected to a storage
tank may be under load if the tank nozzle to which it is connected moves down due
to tank settlement. Similarly, pipe connected to a vessel is pulled upwards because
the vessel nozzle moves up due to vessel expansion. Also, a pipe may vibrate due to
vibrations in the rotating equipment it is attached to.

Displacement Loads:ads have their origin in some force, secondary loads are caused
by displacement of some kind. For example, the pipe connected to a storage tank may
be under load if the tank nozzle to which it is connected moves down due to tank
settlement. Similarly, pipe connected to a vessel is pulled upwards because the
vessel nozzle moves up due to vessel expansion. Also, a pipe may vibrate due to
vibrations in the rotating equipment it is attached to.

Displacement Loads:mmer (or more generally, fluid hammer) is a pressure surge or

wave caused when a fluid (usually a liquid but sometimes also a gas) in motion is
forced to stop or change direction suddenly (momentum change). Water hammer
commonly occurs when a valve closes suddenly at an end of a pipeline system, and a
pressure wave propagates in the pipe. It's also called hydraulic shock.
Steam hammer : Steam hammer, the pressure surge generated by transient flow of
super-heated or saturated steam in a steam-line due to sudden stop valve closures
is considered as an occasional load. Though the flow is transient, for the purpose
of piping stress analysis, only the unbalanced force along the pipe segment tending
to induce piping vibration is calculated and applied on the piping model as static
equivalent force.
Safety Valve Discharge : Reaction forces from relief valve discharge is considered
as an occasional load. The reaction force due to steady state flow following the
opening of safety relief valve in an open discharge installation can be calculated
in accordance with ASME B31.1 Appendix II and applied on the piping model as static
equivalent force.
Secondary Load
Just as the primary loads have their origin in some force, secondary loads are
caused by displacement of some kind. For example, the pipe connected to a storage
tank may be under load if the tank nozzle to which it is connected moves down due
to tank settlement. Similarly, pipe connected to a vessel is pulled upwards because
the vessel nozzle moves up due to vessel expansion. Also, a pipe may vibrate due to
vibrations in the rotating equipment it is attached to.

Displacement Loads:
These are typically steady or sustained types of loads such as internal fluid
pressure, external pressure, gravitational forces acting on the pipe such as weight
of pipe and fluid, forces due to relief or blow down, pressure waves generated due
to water/steam hammer effects.[1]

Sustained Loads:
Internal/External Pressure : A pipe used for transporting fluid would be under
internal pressure load. A pipe such as a jacketed pipe core or tubes in a Shell &
Tube ex-changer etc. may be under net external pressure. Internal or external
pressure induces stresses in the axial as well as circumferential (Hoop Stress)
directions. The pressure also induces stresses in the radial direction, but these
are often neglected. The internal pressure exerts an axial force equal to pressure
times the internal cross section of the pipe. F =P[pd^2/4]. If outer diameter is
used for calculating approximate metal cross-section as Pressure well as pipe
cross-section, the axial stress can often be approximated as follows : S =Pd /(4t)
Dead Weight : It is the self weight of pipe including fluid, weight of fittings &
other inline components (say valve, insulation etc.). This type of loads act
throughout the life cycle of pipe. In horizontal pipes, these loads cause bending,
and the bending moment is related to normal and shear stresses. Pipe bending is
caused mainly due to two reasons : distributed weight load (e.g. fluid weight) and
concentrated weight load (e.g. valve weight). The weight of risers (vertical
sections of pipe) can be supported by riser clamps.
Occasional Loads:

Wind Load, Piping which are located outdoors and thus exposed to wind will be
designed to withstand the maximum wind velocity expected during the plant operating
life. Wind force is modeled as a uniform load acting upon the projected length of
the pipe perpendicular to the direction of the wind. Wind pressure for various
elevations will be used to calculate wind force using the following formula. Fw =
Pw x S x A, where Fw = The total wind force, Pw = The equivalent wind pressure, S =
Wind shape factor, A = Pipe exposed area.
Seismic Load : Seismic load is one of the basic concepts of earthquake engineering
which means application of an earthquake-generated agitation to a structure. It
happens at contact surfaces of a structure either with the ground,[2] or with
adjacent structures,[3] or with gravity waves from tsunami.
Water Hammer : Water hammer (or more generally, fluid hammer) is a pressure surge
or wave caused when a fluid (usually a liquid but sometimes also a gas) in motion
is forced to stop or change direction suddenly (momentum change). Water hammer
commonly occurs when a valve closes suddenly at an end of a pipeline system, and a
pressure wave propagates in the pipe. It's also called hydraulic shock.
Steam hammer : Steam hammer, the pressure surge generated by transient flow of
super-heated or saturated steam in a steam-line due to sudden stop valve closures
is considered as an occasional load. Though the flow is transient, for the purpose
of piping stress analysis, only the unbalanced force along the pipe segment tending
to induce piping vibration is calculated and applied on the piping model as static
equivalent force.
Safety Valve Discharge : Reaction forces from relief valve discharge is considered
as an occasional load. The reaction force due to steady state flow following the
opening of safety relief valve in an open discharge installation can be calculated
in accordance with ASME B31.1 Appendix II and applied on the piping model as static
equivalent force.
Secondary Load
Just as the primary loads have their origin in some force, secondary loads are
caused by displacement of some kind. For example, the pipe connected to a storage
tank may be under load if the tank nozzle to which it is connected moves down due
to tank settlement. Similarly, pipe connected to a vessel is pulled upwards because
the vessel nozzle moves up due to vessel expansion. Also, a pipe may vibrate due to
vibrations in the rotating equipment it is attached to.

Displacement Loads:
4 Standards
5 References
Loads on piping system
Primary Load
These are typically steady or sustained types of loads such as internal fluid
pressure, external pressure, gravitational forces acting on the pipe such as weight
of pipe and fluid, forces due to relief or blow down, pressure waves generated due
to water/steam hammer effects.[1]

Sustained Loads:

Internal/External Pressure : A pipe used for transporting fluid would be under

internal pressure load. A pipe such as a jacketed pipe core or tubes in a Shell &
Tube ex-changer etc. may be under net external pressure. Internal or external
pressure induces stresses in the axial as well as circumferential (Hoop Stress)
directions. The pressure also induces stresses in the radial direction, but these
are often neglected. The internal pressure exerts an axial force equal to pressure
times the internal cross section of the pipe. F =P[pd^2/4]. If outer diameter is
used for calculating approximate metal cross-section as Pressure well as pipe
cross-section, the axial stress can often be approximated as follows : S =Pd /(4t)
Dead Weight : It is the self weight of pipe including fluid, weight of fittings &
other inline components (say valve, insulation etc.). This type of loads act
throughout the life cycle of pipe. In horizontal pipes, these loads cause bending,
and the bending moment is related to normal and shear stresses. Pipe bending is
caused mainly due to two reasons : distributed weight load (e.g. fluid weight) and
concentrated weight load (e.g. valve weight). The weight of risers (vertical
sections of pipe) can be supported by riser clamps.
Occasional Loads:

Wind Load, Piping which are located outdoors and thus exposed to wind will be
designed to withstand the maximum wind velocity expected during the plant operating
life. Wind force is modeled as a uniform load acting upon the projected length of
the pipe perpendicular to the direction of the wind. Wind pressure for various
elevations will be used to calculate wind force using the following formula. Fw =
Pw x S x A, where Fw = The total wind force, Pw = The equivalent wind pressure, S =
Wind shape factor, A = Pipe exposed area.
Seismic Load : Seismic load is one of the basic concepts of earthquake engineering
which means application of an earthquake-generated agitation to a structure. It
happens at contact surfaces of a structure either with the ground,[2] or with
adjacent structures,[3] or with gravity waves from tsunami.
Water Hammer : Water hammer (or more generally, fluid hammer) is a pressure surge
or wave caused when a fluid (usually a liquid but sometimes also a gas) in motion
is forced to stop or change direction suddenly (momentum change). Water hammer
commonly occurs when a valve closes suddenly at an end of a pipeline system, and a
pressure wave propagates in the pipe. It's also called hydraulic shock.
Steam hammer : Steam hammer, the pressure surge generated by transient flow of
super-heated or saturated steam in a steam-line due to sudden stop valve closures
is considered as an occasional load. Though the flow is transient, for the purpose
of piping stress analysis, only the unbalanced force along the pipe segment tending
to induce piping vibration is calculated and applied on the piping model as static
equivalent force.
Safety Valve Discharge : Reaction forces from relief valve discharge is considered
as an occasional load. The reaction force due to steady state flow following the
opening of safety relief valve in an open discharge installation can be calculated
in accordance with ASME B31.1 Appendix II and applied on the piping model as static
equivalent force.
Secondary Load
Just as the primary loads have their origin in some force, secondary loads are
caused by displacement of some kind. For example, the pipe connected to a storage
tank may be under load if the tank nozzle to which it is connected moves down due
to tank settlement. Similarly, pipe connected to a vessel is pulled upwards because
the vessel nozzle moves up due to vessel expansion. Also, a pipe may vibrate due to
vibrations in the rotating equipment it is attached to.
Displacement Loads:
Wind Load, Piping which are located outdoors and thus exposed to wind will be
designed to withstand the maximum wind velocity expected during the plant operating
life. Wind force is modeled as a uniform load acting upon the projected length of
the pipe perpendicular to the direction of the wind. Wind pressure for various
elevations will be used to calculate wind force using the following formula. Fw =
Pw x S x A, where Fw = The total wind force, Pw = The equivalent wind pressure, S =
Wind shape factor, A = Pipe exposed area.
Seismic Load : Seismic load is one of the basic concepts of earthquake engineering
which means application of an earthquake-generated agitation to a structure. It
happens at contact surfaces of a structure either with the ground,[2] or with
adjacent structures,[3] or with gravity waves from tsunami.
Water Hammer : Water hammer (or more generally, fluid hammer) is a pressure surge
or wave caused when a fluid (usually a liquid but sometimes also a gas) in motion
is forced to stop or change direction suddenly (momentum change). Water hammer
commonly occurs when a valve closes suddenly at an end of a pipeline system, and a
pressure wave propagates in the pipe. It's also called hydraulic shock.
Steam hammer : Steam hammer, the pressure surge generated by transient flow of
super-heated or saturated steam in a steam-line due to sudden stop valve closures
is considered as an occasional load. Though the flow is transient, for the purpose
of piping stress analysis, only the unbalanced force along the pipe segment tending
to induce piping vibration is calculated and applied on the piping model as static
equivalent force.
Safety Valve Discharge : Reaction forces from relief valve discharge is considered
as an occasional load. The reaction force due to steady state flow following the
opening of safety relief valve in an open discharge installation can be calculated
in accordance with ASME B31.1 Appendix II and applied on the piping model as static
equivalent force.
Secondary Load
Just as the primary loads have their origin in some force, secondary loads are
caused by displacement of some kind. For example, the pipe connected to a storage
tank may be under load if the tank nozzle to which it is connected moves down due
to tank settlement. Similarly, pipe connected to a vessel is pulled upwards because
the vessel nozzle moves up due to vessel expansion. Also, a pipe may vibrate due to
vibrations in the rotating equipment it is attached to.

Displacement Loads:
4 Standards
5 References
Loads on piping system
Primary Load
These are typically steady or sustained types of loads such as internal fluid
pressure, external pressure, gravitational forces acting on the pipe such as weight
of pipe and fluid, forces due to relief or blow down, pressure waves generated due
to water/steam hammer effects.[1]

Sustained Loads:

Internal/External Pressure : A pipe used for transporting fluid would be under

internal pressure load. A pipe such as a jacketed pipe core or tubes in a Shell &
Tube ex-changer etc. may be under net external pressure. Internal or external
pressure induces stresses in the axial as well as circumferential (Hoop Stress)
directions. The pressure also induces stresses in the radial direction, but these
are often neglected. The internal pressure exerts an axial force equal to pressure
times the internal cross section of the pipe. F =P[pd^2/4]. If outer diameter is
used for calculating approximate metal cross-section as Pressure well as pipe
cross-section, the axial stress can often be approximated as follows : S =Pd /(4t)
Dead Weight : It is the self weight of pipe including fluid, weight of fittings &
other inline components (say valve, insulation etc.). This type of loads act
throughout the life cycle of pipe. In horizontal pipes, these loads cause bending,
and the bending moment is related to normal and shear stresses. Pipe bending is
caused mainly due to two reasons : distributed weight load (e.g. fluid weight) and
concentrated weight load (e.g. valve weight). The weight of risers (vertical
sections of pipe) can be supported by riser clamps.
Occasional Loads:

Wind Load, Piping which are located outdoors and thus exposed to wind will be
designed to withstand the maximum wind velocity expected during the plant operating
life. Wind force is modeled as a uniform load acting upon the projected length of
the pipe perpendicular to the direction of the wind. Wind pressure for various
elevations will be used to calculate wind force using the following formula. Fw =
Pw x S x A, where Fw = The total wind force, Pw = The equivalent wind pressure, S =
Wind shape factor, A = Pipe exposed area.
Seismic Load : Seismic load is one of the basic concepts of earthquake engineering
which means application of an earthquake-generated agitation to a structure. It
happens at contact surfaces of a structure either with the ground,[2] or with
adjacent structures,[3] or with gravity waves from tsunami.
Water Hammer : Water hammer (or more generally, fluid hammer) is a pressure surge
or wave caused when a fluid (usually a liquid but sometimes also a gas) in motion
is forced to stop or change direction suddenly (momentum change). Water hammer
commonly occurs when a valve closes suddenly at an end of a pipeline system, and a
pressure wave propagates in the pipe. It's also called hydraulic shock.
Steam hammer : Steam hammer, the pressure surge generated by transient flow of
super-heated or saturated steam in a steam-line due to sudden stop valve closures
is considered as an occasional load. Though the flow is transient, for the purpose
of piping stress analysis, only the unbalanced force along the pipe segment tending
to induce piping vibration is calculated and applied on the piping model as static
equivalent force.
Safety Valve Discharge : Reaction forces from relief valve discharge is considered
as an occasional load. The reaction force due to steady state flow following the
opening of safety relief valve in an open discharge installation can be calculated
in accordance with ASME B31.1 Appendix II and applied on the piping model as static
equivalent force.
Secondary Load
Just as the primary loads have their origin in some force, secondary loads are
caused by displacement of some kind. For example, the pipe connected to a storage
tank may be under load if the tank nozzle to which it is connected moves down due
to tank settlement. Similarly, pipe connected to a vessel is pulled upwards because
the vessel nozzle moves up due to vessel expansion. Also, a pipe may vibrate due to
vibrations in the rotating equipment it is attached to.

Displacement Loads: (or more generally, fluid hammer) is a pressure surge or wave
caused when a fluid (usually a liquid but sometimes also a gas) in motion is forced
to stop or change direction suddenly (momentum change). Water hammer commonly
occurs when a valve closes suddenly at an end of a pipeline system, and a pressure
wave propagates in the pipe. It's also called hydraulic shock.
Steam hammer : Steam hammer, the pressure surge generated by transient flow of
super-heated or saturated steam in a steam-line due to sudden stop valve closures
is considered as an occasional load. Though the flow is transient, for the purpose
of piping stress analysis, only the unbalanced force along the pipe segment tending
to induce piping vibration is calculated and applied on the piping model as static
equivalent force.
Safety Valve Discharge : Reaction forces from relief valve discharge is considered
as an occasional load. The reaction force due to steady state flow following the
opening of safety relief valve in an open discharge installation can be calculated
in accordance with ASME B31.1 Appendix II and applied on the piping model as static
equivalent force.
Secondary Load
Just as the primary loads have their origin in some force, secondary loads are
caused by displacement of some kind. For example, the pipe connected to a storage
tank may be under load if the tank nozzle to which it is connected moves down due
to tank settlement. Similarly, pipe connected to a vessel is pulled upwards because
the vessel nozzle moves up due to vessel expansion. Also, a pipe may vibrate due to
vibrations in the rotating equipment it is attached to.

Displacement Loads:

Load due to Thermal Expansion of pipe

Load due to Thermal movement of Equipment
A pipe may experience expansion or contraction once it is subjected to temperatures
higher or lower respectively as compared to temperature at which it was assembled.
The secondary loads are often cyclic but not always. For example load due to tank
settlement is not cyclic. The load due to vessel nozzle movement during operation
is cyclic because the displacement is withdrawn during shut-down and resurfaces
again after fresh start-up. A pipe subjected to a cycle of hot and cold fluid
similarly undergoes cyclic loads and deformation.

Types of pipe supports

Cylinder Pipe Guide (spider guide) with Carbon Steel Plates
Pipe Guides (Cylinder Pipe Guides - Spider Guides)
Rigid Support
Spring Support
Snubber/Shock Absorber
Rigid Support
Rigid supports are used to restrict pipe in certain direction(s) without any
flexibility (in that direction). Main function of a rigid support can be Anchor,
Rest, Guide or both Rest & Guide.

1) Stanchion/Pipe Shoe:

Rigid support can be provided either from bottom or top. In case of bottom supports
generally a stanchion or Pipe Clamp Base is used. It can be simply kept on steel
structure for only rest type supports. To simultaneously restrict in another
direction separate plate or Lift up Lug can be used. A pipe anchor is a rigid
support that restricts movement in all three orthogonal directions and all three
rotational directions, i.e. restricting al the 6 degrees of freedom This usually is
a welded stanchion that is welded or bolted to steel or concrete.[2] In case of
anchor which is bolted to concrete, a special type of bolt is required called
Anchor Bolt, which is used to hold the support with concrete. In this type of
support, normal force and friction force can become significant. To alleviate the
frictional effect Graphite Pad or PTFE plates are used when required.

Permali pipe anchors (cold shoe) for 14" diameter carbon steel pipe
Pipe Anchors (Permali Cold Shoes)
2) Rod Hanger:

It is a static restraint i.e. it is designed to withstand tensile load only (no

compression load should be exerted on it, in such case buckling may take place). It
is rigid vertical type support provide from top only. It consists of clamp, eye
nut, tie rod, beam attachment. Selection of rod hanger depends on pipe size, load,
temperature, insulation, assembly length etc. As it comes with hinge and clamp, no
substantial frictional force comes into play.

3) Rigid Strut:

It is a dynamic component i.e. is designed to withstand both tensile and

compression load. strut can be provide in vertical as well as horizontal direction.
V-type Strut can be used to restrict 2 degrees of freedom. It consists of stiff
clamp, rigid strut, welding clevis. Selection depends on pipe size, load,
temperature, insulation, assembly length. As it comes with hinge and clamp, no
substantial frictional force comes into play.

Spring Support[3]
Spring supports (or Flexible supports) use helical coil compression springs ( to
accommodate loads and associated pipe movements due to thermal expansions). They
are broadly classified into Variables Effort support & Constant effort support. The
critical component in both the type of supports are Helical Coil Compression
springs. Spring hanger & supports usually use Helical coil compression springs. The
springs are manufactured either by the cold coiling process (where wire diameter is
less than 12 mm) or by Hot coiling process Springs are classified as �Light� &
�Heavy� . Light springs are normally cold formed Heavy springs are manufactured by
the hot coiling process.

Springs are designed using the formulae :- Spring Rate ( K ) = (d^4 x G)/8 x (Dm)^3
x Wc Where: d = Wire Dia in mm, Dm= Mean Diameter of Spring Coil, Wc= Total no of
working coils, K = Spring rate or Spring Constant in Kg/mm, G = Modulus of Rigidity
normally 80,000 N/mm2 8154.9 kg/ mm2.

1.Variable Spring Hanger or Variable Effort Support:

Variable spring hanger

Variable effort supports also known as variable hangers or variables are used to
support pipe lines subjected to moderate (approximately up to 50mm) vertical
thermal movements. VES units (Variable effort supports) are used to support the
weight of pipe work or equipment along with weight of fluids ( gases are considered
weightless) while allowing certain quantum of movement with respect to the
structure supporting it. Spring supports may also be used to support lines subject
to relative movements occurring typically due to subsidence or earthquakes. A VES
unit is fairly simple in construction with the pipe virtually suspended directly
from a helical coil compression spring as the cut away sectional sketch shows
below. The main components being:

Top Plate
Pressure plate or Piston Plate
Bottom plate or base plate
Helical Spring
Turnbuckle assembly
Locking Rods
Name Plate
Can section or cover
Normally Clients / Engineering Consultants will furnish the following data when
issuing enquires for Variable effort units.

Hot Load
Thermal Movement (with direction i.e. up or + & down or -)
Maximum Load variation in Percentage (LV % max), if Max LV is not specified then it
is assumed to be 25% as per MM-SP58.
Type of Support i.e. whether hanging type, foot mounted type etc.
Special features such as travel limit stop required if any.
Preferred surface protection / Paint / Finish.
Hot load is the working load of the support in the �Hot� condition i.e. when the
pipe has traveled from the cold condition to the hot or working condition. Normally
MSS-SP58 specifies max Load Variation ( popularly called LV) as 25%.[4]
Salient Features-

Allows movement in vertical direction

Load on pipe varies with movement
Used where

Displacement < 50mm

Load variability < 25%
Rod angulation should be less than 4�
Load Variation (LV) or Percentage variation =[(Hot Load ~Cold Load) x 100]/Hot Load
or Load Variation (LV) or Percentage variation =[(Travel x Spring Rate) x 100]/Hot
Load Generally spring supports are provided from top but due to layout feasibility
or any other reason Base Mounted type support is fixed to floor or structure & the
pipe is made to �sit� on top of the flange of the spring support.

2.Constant Spring Hanger or Constant Effort Support:

Bell crank in CSH

When confronted with large vertical movements typically 150 mm or 250 mm, there is
no choice but to select a constant effort support (CES). When the Load variation
percentage exceeds 25% or the specified max LV% in a variable hanger, it is choice
less but to go for a CES. For pipes which are critical to the performance of the
system or so called critical piping where no residual stresses are to be
transferred to the pipe it is a common practice to use CES. In a constant effort
support the load remains constant when the pipe moves from its cold position to the
hot position. Thus irrespective of travel the load remains constant over the
complete range of movement. Therefore it is called a constant load hanger. Compared
to a variable load hanger where with movement the load varies & the hot load & cold
load are two different values governed by the travel & spring constant. A CES unit
does not have any spring rate.

Most prevalent work principle for CSH is Bell Crank Mechanism. The Bell crank lever
rotates around the Fulcrum point. One end of the Bell crank lever is connected to
the pipe �P�, the other end is connected to the spring by the tie rod. Thus when
the pipe moves down from cold to hot condition, the point P moves down, and as it
moves down the Bell crank lever will rotate in the anti clock wise direction & tie
rod connected to the spring will be pulled in, by which the spring gets further
compressed. When the pipe moves up the bell crank lever will rotate (in the clock
wise direction) & the tie rod connected to spring will be pushed out thus allowing
the spring to expand or relax.

Another popular principle is three spring or adjusting spring mechanism. In this

case one main vertical spring takes the main load of the pipe. There are situated
other two spring with horizontal orientation to balance any extra load coming in
upward or downward direction.

Snubber or Shock Absorber

Dynamic Restraints: The restraint system performs an entirely different function to
that of the supports. The latter is intended to carry the weight of the pipe work
and allow it to move freely under normal operating conditions. The restraint system
is intended to protect the pipe work, the plant and the structure from abnormal
conditions; it should not impede the function of the supports. Conditions that
necessitate the use of restraints are as follows � � Earthquake. � Fluid
disturbance. � Certain system functions. � Environmental influences. In areas that
are situated on or near to geological fault lines it is common practice to protect
the plant from potential earthquake activity. In such plant there will be a very
large requirement for dynamic restraints. Fluid disturbance can be caused by the
effect of pumps and compressors or occasionally fluid in a liquid state entering a
pipe intended for the transportation of gas or steam. Some system functions such as
rapid valve closure, pulsation due to pumping and the operation of safety relief
valves will cause irregular and sudden loading patterns within the piping system.
The environment can cause disturbance due to high wind load or in the case of
offshore oil and gas rigs, impact by ocean waves. The restraint system will be
designed to cater for all of these influences. A restraint is a device that
prevents either the pipe work or the plant to which the pipe work is connected
being damaged due to the occurrence of any one or more of the above phenomenon. It
is designed to absorb and transfer sudden increases in load from the pipe into the
building structure and to deaden any opposing oscillation between the pipe and the
structure. Therefore dynamic restraints are required to be very stiff, to have high
load capacity and to minimize free movement between pipe and structure.

Depending on working principle, snubbers can be classified as

Hydraulic Snubber: Similar to an automobile shock arrestor the hydraulic snubber is

built around a cylinder containing hydraulic fluid with a piston that displaces the
fluid from one end of the cylinder to the other. Displacement of fluid results from
the movement of the pipe causing the piston to displace within the cylinder
resulting in high pressure in one end of the cylinder and a relatively low pressure
in the other. The velocity of the piston will dictate the actual difference in
pressure. The fluid passes through a spring-loaded valve, the spring being used to
hold the valve open. If the differential pressure across the valve exceeds the
effective pressure exerted by the spring, the valve will close. This causes the
snubber to become rigid and further displacement is substantially prevented. The
hydraulic snubber is normally used when the axis of restraint is in the direction
of expansion and contraction of the pipe. The snubber is therefore required to
extend or retract with the normal operation of the pipe work. The snubber has low
resistance to movement at very low velocities.
Mechanical Snubber: Whilst having the same application as the hydraulic snubber,
retardation of the pipe is due to centrifugal braking within the snubber. A split
flywheel is made to rotate at high velocity causing steel balls to be forced
radially outwards. The flywheel is forced apart by the steel balls causing braking
plates to come together thus retarding the axial displacement of the snubber.
Rotation of the flywheel is generated by the linear displacement of the main rod
acting on a ball-screw or similar device. It is also very expensive.
A shock absorber absorbs energy of sudden impulses or dissipate energy from the
pipeline. For damper and dashpot, see Shock absorber
An insulated pipe support (also called pre-insulated pipe support) is a load-
bearing member and minimizes energy dissipation. Insulated pipe supports can be
designed for vertical, axial and/or lateral loading combinations in both low and
high temperature applications. Adequately insulating the pipeline increases the
efficiency of the piping system by not allowing the "cold" inside to escape to the
environment.[5] For insulated pipe, see Insulated pipe
Cryogenic Pipe Shoes (cold shoe) for 16" diameter pipe
Insulated Supports (Cold Shoes)
An engineered spring support upholds a specific load, including the weight of the
pipe, commodity, flanges, valves, refractory, and insulation. Spring supports also
allow the supported load to travel through a predetermined thermal deflection cycle
from its installed condition to its operational condition.
Engineered Spring Supports (variable springs) with Slide Plates
Engineered Spring Supports (Variable Springs)
Materials
Pipe supports are fabricated from a variety of materials including structural
steel, carbon steel, stainless steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, ductile iron and
FRP composites. Most pipe supports are coated to protect against moisture and
corrosion.[6] Some methods for corrosion protection include: painting, zinc
coatings, hot dip galvanizing or a combination of these.[7] In the case of FRP
composite pipe supports, the elements required to form a corrosion cell aren't
present, so no additional coatings or protections are necessary.[8]

Standards
Design: ASME B31.1, ASME B31.3, ASME Section VIII Pressure Vessels
Manufacturing: MSS-SP58 (Material, Design, Manufacture, Selection, Application &
Installation), MSS-SP69 (Selection & Application), MSS-SP77, MSS-SP89, MSS-SP90,
AWS-D1.1, ASTM-A36, ASTM-A53, ASTM-A120, ASTM-A123 and A446, ASTM-A125, ASTM-A153,
ASTM-307 and A325, ASTM-C916, ASTM-D1621, ASTM-D1622, ASTM-D1623
Quality Systems: ISO 9001, ASQC Q-92, CAN3 Z299
Testing: ANSI B18.2.3
Fourteen Hydraulic Shock Suppressor and Clamp Assemblies
Shock Absorber (Hydraulic)
References
ASME B31.1 2010
Explore the World of Piping: Pipe Supports, Anchors Werner S�lken (2008-10),
(retrieved 15 September 2010)
Hangers & Supports for Piping by M.Rajagopal
MSS SP 58
History of Insulated Pipe Supports Piping Technology & Products, (retrieved
February 2012)
Building Design Standards: Division 15, Mechanical Piping Systems Rice University
(2004), (retrieved 15 September 2010)
Methods of Protecting against Corrosion Piping Technology & Products, Inc.
(retrieved 16 September 2010)
"FRP Composites Corrosion Applications". www.corrosionresistant.org. Retrieved
2015-11-04.
Categories: Structural connectors
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