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The governing code for the pipe stress analysis is generally ASME B31.3[1] and 31.1[2].
However the approach in Pipeline Stress Analysis is somehow different than the aforementioned
codes respectively. In this article, the main aspects and the key points of the pipeline stress
analysis will be explained briefly.

ASME B31.4 [3][5] covers piping systems transporting liquids, such as crude oil, condensate,
natural gasoline, natural gas liquids, liquefied petroleum gas, liquid alcohol, liquid anhydrous
ammonia, and liquid petroleum products, between producers’ lease facilities, such as tank farms,
pump stations, natural gas processing plants, refineries, ammonia plants, terminals (marine, rail,
and truck), and other delivery and receiving point.

[6][7][8]A reasonable estimate of the movement and its interaction with the end resistance force
afforded by connecting piping and equipment are very important aspects in designing a pipeline.
The key points for stress analysis are as follows:

B 31.4 code addresses analysis of lines within temperature range starting from -20 degree
centigrade till 120 degree centigrade.

There are no Sh values similar to B 31.3. A pipeline normally runs for several kilometres without
any fittings attached. Because of such simplicity, the stress in the majority portion of a pipeline is
quite predictable. Taking advantage of this characteristic, the code’s allowable stress for a
pipeline is greatly increased, as compared to that for plant piping. All allowable values are linked
with Sy (Specified Minimum Yield Strength) as the allowable stress of a pipeline is mainly to
protect the pipe from gross deformation. Whenever you select B 31.4 in Caesar II all Sh value
fields become grey.
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The following equations are used to calculate various stress allowable:

* Expansion Allowable=(0.72) (Sy)

* Sustained Allowable=(0.75) (0.72) (Sy)

* Occasional Allowable=(0.8) (Sy)

A reasonable estimate of the movement and its interaction with the end resistance force afforded
by connecting piping and equipment are very important aspects in designing a pipeline. The
salient points for stress analysis I feel are as follows:

B 31.4 code addresses analysis of lines within temperature range starting from -20 degree
centigrade till 120 degree centigrade.

There are no Sh values similar to B 31.3. A pipeline normally runs for several kilometres without
any fittings attached. Because of such simplicity, the stress in the majority portion of a pipeline is
quite predictable. Taking advantage of this characteristic, the code’s allowable stress for a
pipeline is greatly increased, as compared to that for plant piping. All allowable values are linked
Classification: Internal Use

with Sy (Specified Minimum Yield Strength) as the allowable stress of a pipeline is mainly to
protect the pipe from gross deformation. Whenever you select B 31.4 in Caesar II all Sh value
fields become grey.

The following equations are used to calculate various stress allowable:

* Expansion Allowable=(0.72) (Sy)

* Sustained Allowable=(0.75) (0.72) (Sy)

* Occasional Allowable=(0.8) (Sy)

* Operating Allowable=(0.9) (Sy)

Pressure elongation of pipe line is also important along with expansion elongation and need to be
taken care. Caesar II automatically does this whenever you select B 31.4 code.

There is nothing like liberal stress in B 31.4

The modelling procedure is similar. Whenever material is selected the Sy value automatically
filled from Caesar database. However you have to input the Design multiplication factor (Fac)
value additionally. Fac value indicates whether the pipe is restrained, such as long or buried, or
unrestrained. Fac should be 1.0, 0.0, or 0.001.

This value should be one for pipe under complete axial restraint. This value should be one when
the pipe is fully restrained, such as buried for a long distance.

The default value for Fac is 0.0.

When Fac is 0.001, this indicates to CAESAR II that the pipe is buried but that the soil supports
have been modelled. This causes the hoop stress component, rather than the longitudinal stress,
to be added to the operating stresses if the axial stress is compressive.

Some parts of the lines are buried or underground and some parts are aboveground. So you need
to understand the soil pipe interaction for buried parts. Soil properties need to be taken from
Civil/Geotechnical team while performing stress analysis of underground piping.

For underground piping there should be some minimum depth of cover as per B 31.4 depending
on location of pipeline.

SOIL PROPERTIES
The soil parameters for the buried pipeline is vital for the sake of the stress analysis. The stress
engineer shall not follow an approach that leads to an over design in the stress analysis.
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[4]There are two approaches commonly in the pipeline stress analysis. In this article the most
common on (Peng Method) will be explained briefly.

In the stress analysis program stress analysis shall enter the soil parameter as follows. The soil
parameters shall be taken from the Geotechnical Report.

This parameters shall be entered to the Stress Analysis Program under the Soil Modeller section
as follows.

After entering the values one shall run the input and analyze rest of the model as normal.

Where necessary in order to reduce the stress in pipeline bends, stress engineer shall put anchor
blocks to shift the displacements due to thermal elongation other than bends.
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ANCHOR BLOCKS
Anchor blocks are the main supports for the pipeline stress analysis. The loads of the anchor
blocks are mainly due to the effect of thermal expansion.

Since the pipeline is buried up to 1-2 meters under the grade level. The size of the anchor block
is limited with respect to the load carrying capacity. In order to reduce the size of the anchor
block stress engineer may advice civil engineer to use shear key. This shear key will help anchor
block to use the passive pressure of the soil.

EARTHQUAKE ANALYSIS
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If deemed necessary by specifications, client may require earthquake analysis of the pipeline. In
this situation stress engineer shall pay attention the philosophy of the underground modeler. In
Peng Method for the buried pipeline analysis the fluid density and the pipe density is used in
order to calculate the soil restraint stiffnesses. Afterwards these parameters (pipe density & fluid
density) are revised as 0.

If the stress engineer enters the value of seismic effects as gravitational acceleration , no change
in the loads will be seen. Since the calculation program has already revised this values as 0 and
include them in the value of soil representing restraints. Stress engineer shall enter these seismic
forces as F/ L in order to analyze the effects of the seismic loads.

THRUST FORCES
Thrust force is another important point for the buried pipelines stress analysis.

Stress engineer shall stick to the following point for the sake of the analysis.
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* The pressure thrust is already accompanied by the code and evaluated under the stress values
of hoop stress and axial stress.There is no need to calculated manually the thrust forces due to
pressure and import to the stress analysis input.

* Thrust force due to the change in momentum (flow velocity ) may be calculated manually and
imported to the stress analysis input manually. These forces are very low and are not the
governing forces.

The thrust force can be calculated by the formula shown in the below figure.
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For reference stress engineer can use the following link to prove their calculaion.

For the thrust forces on buried pipelines stress engineer shall also read and understand the
following article for reference. It explains the necessity of thrust restraints and explanation of the
basic approach. Thanks to David Kent for the simple and certain explanation in the
phenomena.[9]
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AUTHOR

Erhan Yıldız, BS Mechanical Engineer, Co Founder - KEY OIL & GAS

Ozan Gülser, MS Mechanical Engineer, Co Founder - KEY OIL & GAS

Halil Ünal, Piping & Plant Specialist, Co Founder - KEY OIL & GAS

REFERENCES

[1]ASME B31.3, ASME Code for Process Piping, An American National Standard, ASME, New
York.

[2] ASME B31.1, ASME Code for Power Piping, An American National Standard, ASME, New
York.

[3] ASME B31.4, ASME Code for Pipeline Transportation Systems for Liquids and Slurries,
ASME, New York.

[4] Peng, L. C., 1978, “Stress Analysis Methods for Underground Pipe Lines,” Part 1, Basic
calculations, Pipe Line Industry, April, 1978; Part 2, Soil-pipe interaction, Pipe Line Industry,
May, 1978.

[5] Peng, L. C., 2009, Pipe Stress Engineering, Liang-Chuan (L.C.) Peng and Tsen-Loong
(Alvin) Peng, ASME Pres, 2009.

[6] WhatisPiping.com, 2018, Restrained and Unrestrained Zones in the Buried Pipelines, 17 Oct,
2018, [http://www.whatispiping.com/restrained-and-unrestrained1]

[7] WhatisPiping.com, 2018, Restrained and Unrestrained Zones in the Buried Pipelines, 17 Oct,
2018, [http://www.whatispiping.com/restrained-and-unrestrained2]

[8] WhatisPiping.com, 2018, Few Important points for Stress Analysis based on ASME B 31.4,
17 Oct, 2018, [http://www.whatispiping.com/stress-analysis-based-on-asme-b-31-4]

[9] daviddkent.wordpress.com 2018, Thrust Restraints, 17 Oct, 2018,

[https://daviddkent.wordpress.com/2013/01/22/thrust-restraint/