An unbalanced expansion loop.

Normally a pipe loop is located midspan between anchors

providing uniform displacement on each side minimizing the size of the loop. In this case an
unbalanced loop is chosen to reduce the loads on the vessel nozzle by placing an axial anchor
that limits axial motion next to it. The trade-off is the increase in height required for the loop. The
anchor and pipe loop location is a trade-off.
A pipe rack with elevated risers and expansion loops. Red pipe in the middle is the full system.
Top and bottom pipes in blue are details. Motions are shown below.

Motion of pipes in the pipe rack with elevated risers. Attention is paid to optimizing the design of
the loop while keeping motions and loads in the rest of the system within limits.
 A tower with a guided flexible pipe connection. The guided connection allows the flexibility
required in the nozzle while limiting the loads applied to the vessel nozzle. Modelling the flexibility
of the nozzle and accounting for the different possible temperatures of the piping system and
tower is required for successful analysis.
Stress analysis of a pump skid from storage towers to dual pumps. The temperature distribution of
the piping varies depending on which pump or pumps are running. Here the pipes leading to the
operating pump are hotter than the standby pipes. Multiple load cases are required to ensure the
piping design is acceptable.

Pipe stress analysis of the fictional but artistic piping system shown on our homepage.

Pipe Stress Analysis at PVEng

We offer pipe stress analysis services. 
Caesar II thermal, flexibility and dynamic pipe stress analysis
Seismic analysis for British Columbia CRN registration
Water hammer, flow induced vibration & integrity review
Fitness For Service using API 579
Layout design, hanger, guide, anchor and expansion joint location and specification
P.E. / P. Eng. stamping

Other Services
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) – We use FEA to design and validate fittings and
vessels that cannot be designed by rule-based codes like VIII-1 or B31.3.
ASME Code Design – We work to many ASME standards to design and validate
pressure vessels, boiler, fittings and piping systems.

Canadian Registration Number (CRN) – We are Canada’s largest independent

registrar of fittings, vessels and piping under the CRN program registering for more
than a thousand customers.

About Us
Pressure Vessel Engineering has twenty years of successful experience in the
pressure vessel field working for more than a thousand customers.
Ten Professional Engineers on staff licensed to stamp and sign off on designs for use in
all Canadian jurisdictions.
Fast and professional assistance from our team.
Need help? Our contact information is to the right.

Pressure Vessel Engineering Ltd.

120 Randall Drive, Suite B

Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

N2V 1C6
519-880-9808