PETRONAS TECHNICAL STANDARDS

Minimum Loadings And Load Combinations For Onshore

Structural Design

PTS 11.10.01
October 2013

© 2013 PETROLIAM NASIONAL BERHAD (PETRONAS)

All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form
or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the permission of the copyright
owner. PETRONAS Technical Standards are Company’s internal standards and meant for authorized users only.
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FOREWORD

PETRONAS Technical Standards (PTS) has been developed based on the accumulated knowledge,
experience and best practices of the PETRONAS group supplementing National and International
standards where appropriate. The key objective of PTS is to ensure standard technical practice
across the PETRONAS group.

Compliance to PTS is compulsory for PETRONAS-operated facilities and Joint Ventures (JVs) where
PETRONAS has more than fifty percent (50%) shareholding and/or operational control, and includes
all phases of work activities.

Contractors/manufacturers/suppliers who use PTS are solely responsible in ensuring the quality of
work, goods and services meet the required design and engineering standards. In the case where
specific requirements are not covered in the PTS, it is the responsibility of the
Contractors/manufacturers/suppliers to propose other proven or internationally established
standards or practices of the same level of quality and integrity as reflected in the PTS.

In issuing and making the PTS available, PETRONAS is not making any warranty on the accuracy or
completeness of the information contained in PTS. The Contractors/manufacturers/suppliers shall
ensure accuracy and completeness of the PTS used for the intended design and engineering
requirement and shall inform the Owner for any conflicting requirement with other international
codes and technical standards before start of any work.

PETRONAS is the sole copyright holder of PTS. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored
in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, recording
or otherwise) or be disclosed by users to any company or person whomsoever, without the prior
written consent of PETRONAS.

The PTS shall be used exclusively for the authorised purpose. The users shall arrange for PTS to be
kept in safe custody and shall ensure its secrecy is maintained and provide satisfactory information
to PETRONAS that this requirement is met.
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ANNOUNCEMENT

Please be informed that the entire PTS inventory is currently undergoing transformation exercise
from 2013 - 2015 which includes revision to numbering system, format and content. As part of this
change, the PTS numbering system has been revised to 6-digit numbers and drawings, forms and
requisition to 7-digit numbers. All newly revised PTS will adopt this new numbering system, and
where required make reference to other PTS in its revised numbering to ensure consistency. Users
are requested to refer to PTS 00.01.01 (PTS Index) for mapping between old and revised PTS
numbers for clarity. For further inquiries, contact PTS administrator at
ptshelpdesk@petronas.com.my
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Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 5
1.1 SCOPE ......................................................................................................................... 5
1.2 GLOSSARY OF TERMS ................................................................................................. 5
1.3 SUMMARY OF CHANGES ............................................................................................ 5
2.0 MINIMUM STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS ................................................................... 6
2.1 ONSHORE STURUCTURES ........................................................................................... 6
2.2 DESIGN WORKING LIFE ............................................................................................... 6
2.3 DESIGN LOADS ............................................................................................................ 7
3.0 LOAD COMBINATIONS ............................................................................................. 13
4.0 FACTOR OF SAFETY FOR DESIGN CONSIDERATION .................................................... 14
5.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY ......................................................................................................... 15
APPENDIX 1 : LIFTING CRANE DESIGN CAPACITY .............................................................. 16
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1.0 INTRODUCTION

This PTS provides minimum structural design requirements for onshore structures. This PTS
adopts various International Standards with additional requirements based on PETRONAS
lesson learnt and best practices.

1.1 SCOPE

The scope covers loadings and load combinations as minimum structural design requirement
for onshore structures listed in Section 2.1.

1.2 GLOSSARY OF TERMS

1.2.1 General Definition of Terms & Abbreviations
Refer to PTS Requirements, General Definition of Terms, Abbreviations & Reading Guide PTS
00.01.03 for General Definition of Terms & Abbreviations
1.2.2 Specific Definition
None
1.2.3 Specific Abbreviations

No Abbreviations Description

1 UBC Uniform Building Code

2 UBBL Uniform Building By-Law

3 EN EURO Code
Table 1: Specific Abbreviations

1.3 SUMMARY OF CHANGES

This PTS 11.12.02 replaces PTS 34.00.01.30 (November, 2010).
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2.0 MINIMUM STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS

2.1 ONSHORE STURUCTURES

This PTS covers the common structures in PETRONAS onshore plants:

i. Equipment Supporting Structure

ii. Pipe Support - Pipe Sleeper and Pipe Rack for Piping and Cable Trays & Pipe
Bridge
iii. Flare Structure
iv. Occupied and Non-occupied Building, Shed and Shelter
v. Other Miscellaneous Onshore Structure

2.2 DESIGN WORKING LIFE

The design working life of a structure is the assumed period for which a structure or part of
it is to be used for its intended purpose with anticipated maintenance but without major
repair being necessary. This requires knowledge of the ambient conditions, loadings and
rates of deterioration of the elements of the structure throughout its life.

Indicative categories of design working life are given in Table 1. The values given in Table 1
may also be used for determining time-dependent performance (e.g. fatigue-related
calculations). The indicative design working life can vary depending on the use of the
structure or on the design life of the overall facility/plant or refinery, and shall be agreed by
the Owner.

Design working Indicative design

Examples
life category working life (years)
1 10 Temporary structures*
Replaceable structural parts e.g. gantry girders,
2 10 to 30 bearings, bolts and nuts and other replaceable
members

3 15 to 25 Agricultural and similar structures

Building structures and other common
4 50
structures, not listed elsewhere in this table
Monumental building structures, highway and
5 120 railway bridges, and other civil engineering
structures
Table 2: Indicative design working life

*Structures or parts of structures that can be dismantled with a view of being re-used should not be considered as temporary.
Source: BS EN 1990
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2.3 DESIGN LOADS

2.3.1 General

All new onshore structures shall be designed to resist the minimum loads in accordance to
this PTS, local and international building codes and standards.
Future loads shall be considered as specified by Owner.
For existing facilities, actual loads may be used in lieu of the minimum specified loads.

The minimum loads that shall be considered are listed below:

i. Dead Load: Shall include all the weight of the structure and any loadings
permanently attached to it.
ii. Imposed Load: Shall follow minimum requirement for loads in oil and gas
environment.
iii. Wind Load
iv. Earthquake Load
v. Snow Load, Ice Load, Sand Load and Water Load
vi. Crane Loads (Lifting and Traveling)
vii. Traffic Load
viii. Bundle Pull Load
ix. Thermal Load
x. Dynamic Load
xi. Explosion and Impact Loads
xii. Construction and Maintenance Loads

Other loads, not listed above, shall be included in the design, if required by the Owner or
local and International Codes and Standards.

2.3.2 Imposed Load

The imposed load in Table 2 shall be taken into account:

*Minimum Uniformly *Minimum Single

Purposes
Distributed Load Point Load
1. Floors, platforms, walkways and
staircases
a) Operational/maintenance 5.0 kN/m2 7.5 kN
b) Access only 2 kN/m2 3 kN
2. Roofs
a) Accessible for inspection and
repair only 1 kN/m2 -
- 2 kN
b) All roof members
3. Railings
a) Horizontal force of at any one - 1 kN
point
Table 3: Minimum Imposed Load
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*Whichever is the more unfavourable for the structural element(s)

Source:
1. For buildings see PTS 11.14.01 and PTS 11.14.03
2. UBC, ASCE-7 & UBBL

2.3.3 Wind Load

i. Wind load shall be determined in accordance with local or international codes

and standards as agreed by Owner.
ii. The wind can blow in any direction and the most unfavourable case shall be
considered.
iii. Where applicable, due regard shall be given to the allowable reduction of live
loads for multi-storey buildings or open structures under maximum wind load
conditions.
iv. Overhead pipe racks
a) 4m wide or less: Wind load on the three largest pipes shall be taken into
account
b) Over 4 m: Wind load on the four largest pipes shall be taken into
account

2.3.4 Earthquake Load

i. Earthquake load shall be taken into account.

ii. The frequency of occurrence of earthquakes, and their intensity and duration
shall be derived from seismological data and/or accelerograms (i.e. recordings of
actual ground accelerations during an earthquake), local and international codes
and standards or as specified by the Owner.

iii. Expansion joints shall be designed to avoid collision of structures.

iv. Where necessary a special soil investigation shall be conducted to predict the
possibility of ground displacements, settlements and soil liquefaction.

v. The origin of the earthquake data shall be given in the calculations.

2.3.5 Snow Load, Ice Load, Sand Load and Water Load
i. Snow, ice, sand and water load shall be taken into consideration in roof design.
The load shall be derived from local regulations or experience.

2.3.6 Crane Loads (Lifting and Traveling)

This load criterion applies to all cranes, monorails and hoists. Appendix 1 details the design
capacity requirement for lifting crane.
The maximum values to be included for lifting load shall be as follows:
i. Lifting capacity including operational capacity and test load level
ii. Maximum horizontal loads caused by braking or acceleration.

For the design of each structural element the most unfavourable position of the crane or
other moving loads shall be considered.
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i. Vertical Impact Force

a) The maximum wheel loads of the crane shall be increased by the
percentages shown below to determine the induced vertical impact or
vibration force:
a. Monorail cranes 25%
b. Cab-operated or remotely operated bridge cranes 25%
c. Pendant -operated bridge cranes 10%
ii. Lateral Force
a) Shall be calculated as 20% of the sum of the rated capacity of the crane
and the weight of the hoist and trolley.
b) Shall be assumed to act horizontally at the traction surface of a runway
beam, in either direction perpendicular to the beam.
c) Shall be distributed with due regard to the lateral stiffness of the runway
beam and supporting structure.
iii. Longitudinal Force
a) Shall be calculated as 10% of the maximum wheel loads of the crane.
b) Shall be assumed to act horizontally at the traction surface of a runway
beam in either direction parallel to the beam.

2.3.7 Traffic Load

i. At least one road leading to the main process or distribution area(s) shall be
designated as a heavy equipment route.
ii. Bridges/culverts including other underground facilities shall be designed for the
maximum expected loading condition caused by transportation of heavy
equipment.

2.3.8 Bundle Pulling Load

The supports of heat exchangers with removable bundles shall be calculated on a pulling
force of 200% of the weight of the bundle unless the bundles are pulled by means of a
mechanical device which acts on the principle of equilibrium of forces.

2.3.9 Thermal Loads

i. When thermal expansion results in friction between equipment and supports, the
friction force shall be taken as the operating load on the support times the
applicable friction coefficient.

ii. Steel pipe rack beam

The horizontal slip forces exerted by expanding or contracting pipes on steel pipe
racks shall be assumed to be 15 % of the operating weight on the beam. These
'slip forces' shall not be distributed to the foundations.

iii. Concrete pipe rack beam

Shall be designed for an arbitrary horizontal pipe anchor force of 15 kN acting at
mid span, and shall not be distributed to the foundations.
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iv. Pipe anchor

Forces transferred by longitudinal girders to structural anchors (bracing), an
arbitrary force of 5 % of the total pipe load per layer shall be taken into account,
unless design calculations dictate a higher force. These forces shall be distributed
to the foundations.

v. Thermo-mechanical forces and stresses

a) Foundations and liquid retaining structures (including fireproofing) that
are subject to thermo-mechanical effects shall also be designed for the
thermal loads and for any temperature difference that may occur.
b) Heat transfer calculations shall be used to determine the effects of:
a. Thermo-mechanical forces and stresses;
b. Changing of any properties of materials used.
vi. Specific attention to potential changes in properties shall be given if the
temperature of the concrete exceeds 70 °C.

2.3.10 Dynamic Loads

A detailed design and vibration analysis for rotating equipment foundations and structures
subject to vibration shall be made in accordance with Table 4
Type of Loads Requirements
Static i. Shall be calculated and shown to be within the limits stated by the
deformation Vendor of the equipment.
ii. The calculations shall include the following causes of deformation:
a) Shrinkage and creep of concrete;
b) Temperature effects caused by radiation and convection of
heat or cold generated by machinery, piping and ducting;
c) Elastic deformation:
a. Due to vapour pressure change in condensers;
b. Due to soil settlement or elastic compression of piles.
Vibration i. A three-dimensional vibration analysis shall be made and shall
analysis show that the dynamic amplitudes shall not exceed the lower of
the following values:
a) The maximum allowable values stated by the Manufacturer of
the equipment;
b) The amplitude (single amplitude) which causes the effective
velocity of vibration to exceed:
a. 2 mm/s at the location of the machine-bearing
housings
b. 2.5 mm/s at any location of the structure
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ii. The effective velocity is defined as the square root of the average
of the square of the velocity, velocity being a function of time. In
the case of a pure sinusoidal function the effective velocity is 0.71
times the peak value of the velocity.
Excitation i. Shall be taken as the maximum values that, according to the
force Vendor of the equipment, will occur during the lifetime of the
equipment.
Schematic i. The vibration calculation shall be based on a mechanical model
mechanical wherein the weights and elasticity of both structure and foundation
model and the weight of the equipment are represented in an appropriate
way.

Frequencies i. All natural frequencies below 2 times the operating frequency for
reciprocating equipment and below 1.5 times the operating
frequency for rotating equipment shall be calculated.
ii. It shall be demonstrated that the amplitudes of the natural
frequencies between 0.35 and 1.5 times the operating frequency
are within the allowable values even assuming that resonance
occurs due to differences between the actual structure and the
assumed model. In this case a reasonable amount of damping
should be estimated.
iii. The natural frequency of the supporting structure shall not coincide
with any resonant frequency of the equipment.
Dynamic i. The dynamic amplitudes of any part of the foundation including
amplitudes any reciprocating compressor shall be limited to a peak to peak
amplitude of less than 50 µm or as otherwise specified by the
Owner or Vendor Data.
Table 4 Dynamic Load Requirements
*Source: UBC

2.3.11 Explosion and Impact Loads

Explosion and impact loads due to explosion or collision shall be included in the design, if
required by the Owner or local standards.

2.3.12 Construction and Maintenance Loads

i. All possible loading conditions during construction and maintenance shall be

taken into account. The most unfavourable condition shall be taken into account
for each structural member.

ii. The loads of scaffolding, including the wind load, shall be taken into account for
the design of the structure.
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iii. Heavy equipment lowered onto a supporting structure can introduce extreme
point loads on structural members, exceeding any operating or test load. After
placing of equipment, the exact positioning (lining out and leveling) can also
introduce extreme point loads. The above should be interpreted on the basis of
the Contractor's practical experience and the Vendor's information.

iv. Beams and floor slabs in multi-storey structures, e.g. fire decks, shall be designed
to carry the full construction loads imposed by the props supporting the structure
immediately above. A note shall be added to the relevant construction drawings
to inform the field engineer of the adopted design philosophy.
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3.0 LOAD COMBINATIONS

The following load combinations shall be included in the structural design:

i. Dead Weight of Empty Equipment (Static and/or Rotating) derived from Vendor
Data including insulation, protection and fireproofing.

ii. Operating Weight of Equipment (Static and/or Rotating) including internals and
weight of maximum content during operational stage.

iii. Hydrostatic Test Weight of Equipment (Static and/or Rotating), with equipment
completely filled with test liquid as required throughout the test duration, which
shall be used for the supporting structure design purpose. When considering
multiple equipment on one support structure, the design shall include the test of
only one of equipment at any one time with the other equipment considered as
empty or under operation stage.

Load combination shall consider all the possible situations that could occur during the
structure’s lifetime.
Structures shall be designed using the loading combinations given in Table 5.
Operation
Construction/
Without With Test Earthquake
Load Maintenance
wind wind
A B C D E
Structure dead load x x x x x
Equipment dead load x x x x x
Lifting/Moving load x x x
a
Equipment empty weight x x
a
Equipment operating weight x x x
Equipment hydrostatic test load x
Imposed loads x x x x x
cd d
Wind loads x x x
Snow/ice/sand/water loads x x x
b
Dynamic loads x x x x
Thermal effects x x x
Construction and maintenance
x
loads
Earthquake loads x
Differential settlement x x x x
Table 5 Load Combinations A to E

NOTES:
i. The most unfavourable load combination shall be taken into account.
ii. Only if the structure supports rotating equipment that will be in operation while a vessel is being tested with
water.
iii. Only 50% wind load shall be taken into account.
iv. The effect of wind forces acting on temporary scaffolding erected during construction or for subsequent
maintenance which will be transferred to the vessel or column shall be considered. When considering these
effects, the actual projected area of the scaffold members together with the correct shape factor and drag
coefficient should be used. As an initial approximation, the overall width of the scaffolding itself can be taken as
1.5 m on each side of the vessel or column with 50% closed surface and shape factor 1.
*Source: BS6399
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4.0 FACTOR OF SAFETY FOR DESIGN CONSIDERATION

The stability of the structure shall be checked for the non-factored load combinations B, C
and D and, if applicable, E. The following stability ratios shall be used in calculations to
prevent foundations from overturning owing to horizontal loads:
i. Load combinations B, C and D a minimum factor of 1.5.
ii. Load combination E a minimum factor of 1.25.
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5.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY

In this PTS, reference is made to the following other Standards/Publication. Unless

specifically designed by date, the latest edition of each publication shall be used, together
with any supplements/revisions there to:

PTS STANDARDS

Index to PTS PTS 00.01.01

Requirements, General Definition of Terms, Abbreviations & Reading
PTS 00.01.03
Guide
The use of SI units PTS 16.00.01
Site investigation PTS 11.11.01
Geotechnical and foundation engineering PTS 11.13.01
Design of Jetty Facilities (Amendments/Supplements to BS6349-1/2/4) PTS 11.16.01
Blast Resilient and Blast Resilient Control Buildings /Field Auxiliary
PTS 11.14.03
Rooms
Minimum requirements for design and engineering of buildings PTS 11.14.01
Fire hazards and fireproofing/cold splash protection of steel structures PTS 11.15.01
Reinforced concrete foundations and structures PTS 11.15.03
Earthquake design for onshore facilities – seismic hazard assessment PTS 11.10.03

MALAYSIAN STANDARDS
Uniform Building By-Laws UBBL

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
1997 Uniform Building Code : Volume 2 : Structural Engineering UBC 1997,
Design Provisions Volume 2
ANSI/ASCE
Minimum design loads for buildings and other Structures
7-95
BS 6399
Loading for Buildings

Specification for the use of structural steel in building BS 449

BS EN 1990
Basis of Structural Design
Loads and ULS Load Combinations EN 1991
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APPENDIX 1 : LIFTING CRANE DESIGN CAPACITY

1.1 GENERAL

i. The crane capacity shall be in compliance to ISO 8686 - Part 1 and 5.

ii. Crane capacity shall be assumed at their maximum values producing worst conditions, but
not acting simultaneously with maximum wind forces.
iii. Crane capacity shall include:
a) the lifting capacity
b) the maximum horizontal loads caused by braking or acceleration

1.2 WORKSHOP BUILDINGS

In the workshop building, two electrically operated overhead travelling cranes shall be installed to
serve the mechanical and electrical workshops; unless otherwise stated in the project specification.

These overhead-travelling cranes shall meet the requirements for handling the heaviest equipment
piece to be serviced in the workshop building, e.g., tube bundles or parts of stripped rotating
equipment, etc.

In any case the minimum capacity shall be:

i. Hoisting capacity 10 tonnes
ii. Speed data shall be as follows:
a) Normal hoisting speed 6 m/min
b) Slow hoisting speed 0.75 m/min
c) Crab travelling speed 18 m/min
d) Crane travelling speed 18 m/min

In the welding area of the mechanical workshop a separate electrically or pneumatically operated
overhead crane shall be installed; with minimum hoist capacity of 5 tonnes with the same speed as
above.

A closed trolley system with protected power tracks shall be used for the electric power supply of
these travelling cranes;

A trolley beam with a hand-operated hoist, with a capacity of 1 tonne, shall be installed in the safety
relief valve test area of the mechanical workshop;

A 2-tonne jib crane with an arm of 3000 mm shall be installed on one of the steel columns of the
mechanical workshop building. As the exact location is to be decided later on, all columns of the
building shall be designed for this additional load;

A trolley beam with a hand-operated hoist, capacity 2 tonnes, shall be provided in the instrument
workshop. The beam shall extend 1500 mm outside the building.
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1.3 OTHER BUILDINGS

i. Control building:
Trolley beam with a hand-operated hoist, capacity 2 tonnes, shall be installed as defined
in PTS 11.14.03

ii. Main laboratory’s CFR engine room:

Trolley beam including a hand-operated hoist with a capacity of 2 tonnes shall be installed
above the test engines, extending to the external door.

iii. Electrical stations :

Trolley beam including a hoist with a capacity of 2 tonnes shall be installed. The
requirement for the actual installation of this beam and hand-operated hoist shall be
verified with the Owner.

iv. In other buildings, e.g. for chilled water plants, compressors, gas turbine generators, etc.:
Trolley beams with hand-operated hoists shall be installed for maintenance purposes. The
hoisting capacity depends on the type of equipment to be hoisted and shall be approved
by the Owner.

1.4 MINIMUM DISTANCE

The minimum distance between the two cranes shall be 1000 mm. Spacers shall be fixed to the crane
to guarantee this distance.

1.5 Safe Working Load (SWL) Markings

The SWL shall be marked using stencil on the sides of the crane and shall be visible at all times.