Allowable Pipe Span Formulas and Tables

Pipe-Span Stress Limits M 5 WL' = f,

Sa Z 4Z
In order to have a workable set of pipe-span tables or
to find an allowable span that will require a minimum L
of manual calculations, the limit for dead load stresses is
set at S /2. This eliminates the need for checking the OF
sum of the longitudinal pressure stresses plus dead
load stress. (S = allowable stress at maximum 0 8 Z f,
temperature, ASA Code B31.1 and B3l.3.)
The formula used to determine the maximum spans in W
the tables (Tables 12-1 through 12-9) is a mean between
a uniformly loaded beam simply supported at both ends
and a uniformly loaded beam with both ends fixed. This
mean
formula most nearly depicts the conditions actually exist-
ing in a refinery. (See Figure 12-1.)
Pipe-Span Deflection Limits
By inspection, if the two moment diagrams in
Figure 12-1 are superimposed, the point of the Maximum allowable pipe deflection between supports
maximum bend- ing moment will still be at mid-span. must not exceed 1 in. or 1/2 the nominal pipe
diameter. whichever is the smaller. This is the basic
piping practice: however, it is subject to compliance with
Mean = M = 1/2
8 24 the customer's specification.
The formula used to determine the deflections in
A safety factor of 1.25 is required because of the Tables 12-1 through 12-9 is a mean between a uniformly
dis- crepancy between theoretical assumption and the loaded beam simply supported at both ends and a
actual field situation. uniformly loaded beam with both ends fixed. (See
Figure 12-2.)
In order to maintain homogeneous units, “L’ must be
M WL° 5 5 WL2 in in. and “W” must be in lbs/in. , however, for ease of
12 4 48 han- dling we wish to have “L” in fi and “W” in lb/ft,
which we must now convert to inch units. The preceding
In order to maintain homogeneous units, “L” must be equa- tion becomes:
in lb/in.; however, for ease of handling we wish to have
“L”
in feet and “W” in lb/ft, which we must now convert to WL‘ 13.5WL4
fi = =
inch units. Thus the preceding equation becomes: 128EI EI

5 WL' 60 WL2 5 WL° _ 13.5WL‘

M 48 48 4 E1
{Te x1 c‹ nI inued on pap°e 32a *

314
 Allowable Pipe Span Formulas and 31

simply Supported Fixed Ends

Load

Shear
L2 L

Moment

Simply Supported Fixed Ends

WL WL
V = 2 V —
=
2
WL*
8 WL*
M, 24

Figure 12-1. Diagram showing how stress limits are determined by figuring the
mean between a uniformly loaded beam supported at both ends and a uniformly
loaded beam with both ends fixed.

Simply Supported Fixed Ends

5WL4 4
A1 = 384EI 82 = WL
384EI
Mean: = A1 + A2 _ 3WL^ _ WL°
2 " 384EI " 126EI

Figure 12-2. Diagram showing how deflection limits are determined by figuring
the mean between a uniformly loaded beam supported at both ends and a uni-
formly loaded beam with both ends fixed.
31 Piping Stress

Table 12-1
Piping Spans Based on the Following Carbon Steel Materials: Seamless A53 Gr. A, A106 Gr. A, API
SL Gr. A; Welded A53 Gr. B, API SL Gr. B, A155 CSS Class 2

g00”F with Water, No lnouletlon

20a •F-600°F will Commodity = Weight of Water, Minimum Insulation
{f. = 7.650 pel)

Pipe Maximum Recommended Maximum Recommended

Size sCH. Span Dell. Span Dell. Span Dell. Span DefK

‘ mceeas maximum deflection.

Connery of Power Piping Cpmpayt y.

Table 12-2
Piping Spans Based on the Following Stainless Steel Pipe Materials: Seamless A312 TP316, A312
TP317, A430 FP316H, A376 TP317

a TOO°F with Water, No insulatlon

(f. - g,$y$ p¿) 20 "F-600"F with Commodity = WeighI oI Water, Minimum Insulation
(l. = 0.SEO psi)
Pipe Maximum
recommended Maximum Recommended
Size SCH. Span
Dell. Span Dell. Span Dell. span Def{.

10
 Allowable Pipe Span Formulas and 31

Table 12-3
Piping Spans Based on the Following Stainless Steel Pipe Materials: Seamless A213 TP304L, A312
TP304L, A376 TP304, A430 FP304H

z01°P-so0°r witn Commoaig = signi or water, minimum \ns•iatlon

(I = 8,800 psi)
Pipe Maximum Recommended Maximum Reeommeuded
Sie SCH. Span Detl. Span oeii. Span Dell. Span Dell.
3/4” 80S l8'-0“ 2-1/16“ 12'-0” 3/8“ 12' 6” 3/4” * 10'-6” 3/8”
l" 0 / 6 l 5 7 8 3 l/
/ S 2 1 0 6 7 8 6 /
’ S 6 6 22 6 I 0 l l 0 11
80 0
3 o o i o 22 n
S 3 0 0 3/
0
331 0“ 1 77/16 “ 1 60 7 /B 00 l/
OS 0 1 / /
0 0 1 /
8 105 / 3 1 0 1/2 8 0 /g

6 0 5 0
0S 3 5
4 / 0 3 /
l/ 6 3 i
0 5 6 6 8 0 1
0 50 1 6 1 0 3/8
6" S - 1-3/ 6 • -0 3 -6” 9 1 ' -0" 7/
8" 0 51 - 15/1 -6 ’ ] 6 -6' 7 -6“ S
0’ 0 5 - 7/8 -0 -6 -6 5/ "
0 / 0 5 3

• Eaoeede maximum 6efleeflon.

Courtesy of Rower Piping Compan y.

Table 12-4
Piping Spans Based on the Following Stainless Steel Pipe Materials: Seamless A213 TP304L, A312
TP304L

y 90O • F with Water, No insulation gO1 ° F—6O0*F with Commodity = Wélght of Wa\or. Minimum Insulation

Pipe maximum Recommended Maximum Recommended

Size SCH. 89an Defl. Span Dell. Spau Dell. span Dell.

/i

“ Exceeds meylmum deflection.

Connery of Rawer Piping Compan
y.
31 Piping Stress

Table 12-5
Piplng Spans Based on the Following Nickel Pipe Material: Seamless B161 Annealed

a zoo°P witn Water, No Ineuletlon

(f. = e,000 psl} 201"F-450"F with Commodity • Weight of Weter, Mlnlmum InsuIetTon
(f. = I ,000 psi)
Pipe Maximum Walmum
Size scH. Span
Reeommeuded Recommended
Dell. 9pan Dell. Spen Dell. Spau Dell.

Courted y of Power Piping Company.

Table 12-6
Piping Spans Based on the Followlng Aluminum Pipe Material: Seamless B241 Gr. 3003 H112

zo1°r-400°P with Commodity = WeIght of Water, Minimum Insulation

(f. = 1,750 psl)
Pipe Dazirnum Recommended Recommended
Size SCH. Open lefL Span Dell. Span DefK Span Dell.

S/

3
CouMes y of Rower Piping Compon y.
 Allowable Pipe Span Formulas and 31

Table 12-7
Piping Spans Based on the Following Aluminum Pipe Material: Seamless B241 Gr. 6061 T6

200”F with Water, No Insular

ion (f. = 3,O00 psi) 201’F-40O"F witb Commodity = Weight of Water, Minimum insulation

pipe size
Maximum Recommenaed Recommended
scn.spanDell. SpanDefl. Defl. Span Defl.
3/4“ 6" * 12'-0” 3;g" l0'-0” 7/16” 9'-6” 3/8'
0 0 /
8
/ 80 3 /8 18 0 6 1/2" 14 ’ -0 1 /2‘
40 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 /16
3“ 40 32 -6 ' 2 - 7/8 * 2 S -0 9 0 1 2 8 2"
0 3 0 S/8 0 / 0 l/
0 0 0 1/ ” JZ -6" 1 / 4 -0 //]6’
0 3 6 l/ 36 0 /8 26 0 3/8”
10 20 J0'-O” 1-1// • 3 '-o' 2 6 1/4” 2p'-6" 1/4”
0 0 5 6 0 9 3 8 b 3/8“
1 2 6 1 1/4 9 0 1 6’ -0" 1/4" 2 5 ‘ -0" 1 /4"
S 8 6 3/ 0 6 0 5/
14" 1u 4 1 -3/ 0 0 / 25 4"
TO 49 -0“ 1-58' * 4é-0 l 6 30 /
6 0 5 ñ-0” 1/4” Zo -0 i 4
18" 6 16 / 6 7 0 3 26 ' -0“ 3/16"
8 0 l /16 1 / 31 -6” 1/0“
0 0 J2 -h 7/b pl -0' 3/ " / 26 -g” 3/16”
20" /0 0 48 33 ' -0“ - 1 ’ 32 ' -0 I /4 "
24 0 3 -0 3/4 4l -6 3/8” B -0” 3/16' 27'-0” 3/16”
0 6 1 6 33 3 6” /
30 i 43 -6 /8 ’ 8 6 1/8 6 /B

” E*c4ed¥ maximum defleclion.

€-onrtesy of power Piping Company.

Table 12-8
Piping Spans Based on the Following Aluminum Pipe Materials: Seamless B210, B234, and B235
Gr. 6061 T4, B241 Gr. 3003 H18

a e00“ F with Water, No Insulation 201"F-600" F w‹th Commodity = Weight of Water, Minimum Insulation
(fi - 4.'200 Psi) (f. = 950 psi)
Pipe Maximum Recommended Maximum Recommended
Size scH. Span Dell. Sp8D Dell. Span Oefl. Span Dell.
3/4" 80 17 ’ -0" T -3/4“ “ 12 ' -0" 3/8" 9 ’ -0" 5/16" 8 ’ —6" 5/ 16"

2 0 5/1 * 21 -0 ’ 0 1 6 5 6
3" 40 26 -6 1-1/4’ * 2S ’ -0" 1 18 -0’ 3/8" 17 ' -0" 3 8 "
" 40 8 1 3/16 28 0 1 20 /8 /8
6 p0 32 -6 1 z1'-6” /b 2 1 22 0 /16
1 0 3 0 5/8 1 /2 24 0 l 2Z ’ -6" I /4 "
0’ 4 38 -6 7/8 - 4 7 -6 5/ 26 -0 S/ 16"
0 33 ’ -6" 9/ 7 6" 32 ' 6 3/ 1â 23 * -0 3/ 1b
ST D 3 -6 3 4 37 -6 5/8 28 -6' /4 " Z 7 -0 1/4
10 3 1 2 3 3/ 24 3 l ” ZS -0 1/ Z
0 6 3/4 0 8 9 0 / 1
6 10 3 1/2 2 3/ 0 3 6 0 0 3/16
B” 10 34 -6" 7/16 33 6 l 5 6 l 8 3 6 1 8"
8 6TD 41 -0 5/8 39 l/ 0 /4 7 6 1/4”
0 0 3 0 3 3 6 4 5 8 0 1/
0 20 41 6" 1/ " 0 3/8" 30'-6” 3/16” Z8'-0” 3/16”
10 16 3 6 26 8 24 -0" 1/8"
24" 20 4 -0" 7/16" 4 0' -0“ 3/8 31 ' -0 ' 3/16" 28' -0" 3/16“
” 3 6 /8 6 ^ /8
’ Exeee ds maximum deflection.
C!ourtes y of Power Pipiti g Compan y.
32 Piping Stress

Table 12-9
Piping Spans Based on the Following Red Brass Pipe Material: Seamless B43

201 • F-600 •F wlth Commodity = Weight ef W4ter, Mlnlmum Insulation

[i = 4,000 psl}
Maxmum Recommended Spau Maximum Recommended Span
Span cell. Dell. Dell.

/8

Comries y of Rower Piping Company.

where SB - Longitudinal bending stress, psi

= Maximum deflection, in. Piping Wind Loads
W = Weight of pipe, including commodity
insulation if any, lb/ft and
L = Length of span, fi Wind Loads
E - Hot modulus of elasticity of pipe, psi
I = Moment of inertia of pipe, in.‘ Tables 12-10 through 12-12 can be used to calculate
Z = Section modulus of pipe, in.3 wind loads.
The wind pressure (P) in lb/ft2 on a flat surface normal
fs ' Unit stress = J/2, psi. S per ASA Code to the direction the wind for any given velocity (V) in
B3l.3 miles/hr is given quite accurately by the formula
To solve for an allowable pipe span with a known de- p o.onv2
flection, use the following formula:
Table 12-11 gives the pressure per square toot on a
flat surface normal to the direction of the wind for
EU different velocities as calculated by the preceding
13.5W formula.
L= The design wind pressure at the location of a given
pipeline should be applied to the projected area of the out-
 Allowable Pipe Span Formulas and 3

side of the pipe (or insulation) to determine a uniformly
distributed load as follows:
(P) DCs) (D)
w
where P = Design wind pressure, lb/ft2
C, —— Shape facior (See Table 12-12)
D = Outside diameter of pipe (or insulation),
in.
W = Wind load (lb/in) pounds per linear foot of
pipe
The design wind pressure depends on the location of the
vessel or stack. The U.S.A. Standard Building Code Re-
quirements for Minimum Design Loads, in Buildings and
Other Structures, A58. l-1972, and the Uniform Building
Code include a table showing wind pressure at
various heights, and a map where these values apply.
More tables have been developed according to wind ve-
locity in miles/hr, wind pressure lb/fi", with reference to
a pipe outside diameter. These tables are very useful for
computer data input to model uniform wind load on pip-
ing.

Table 12-10 Table 12-12

Official Deslgnations of Winds Shape Factors
Designation Miles per Hour
Sh8P^
Calm Less than 1 Surface General Use Factor
Light wind 1 to 7 Cylinder Towers, stacks, drums, tanks, 0.6
Gentle wind 8 to 12 exchangers, piping, etc.
Moderate mind 13 to 18 Octagon Piers for towers and drums 0.80
Fresh wind 19 to 24 Sphere Tanks 0.60
Strong wind 25 to 38 FTat Open signs 1.60
Gale 39 io 54 Solid signs 1.40
Whole gale 55 to 75 Closed buildings, framing, and 1.30
Hurricane Above 75 com. parts
Beau WiW Cole, D.S. Weather Bureau. Prism Frames, open-type structure 1.60 Open plan
0.80 Sec. plan
0.00 Other
plan

Table 12-11
Pressure per Sq Ft on a Flat Surface Normal to the
Directlon of the Wind
Velocity Corresponding
(miles/hr) (lb£ñj To
10 0.4 Gentle wind
20 1.6 Fresh wind
30 3.6 Strong wind
40 6.4 Gale
50 10.0 Gale
60 14.4 Whole gale
80
25.6 Hurricane
ioo 40.0 Violent hurricanes
32 Piping Stress

Table 12-13
Wind Load (lb/in.)

er ess 1520 2s3 o t0

veI cci ey Mil est+in

61 117

4 .0 0 . 25 . 32. 41. 50. S 8$ gy g 83 . gJ

4 . 500

¥ 6 . 6 25 . 4I .K . 6 8. 82
. S3 .7I
b . 6 25 . 89 \ . 073 . 25 T . 411. 6 z1. y 9\ . g
} . 33 T . 3•S . S 6 1 .7 9 2. 0 T2 . 3 9l . 4 s
. 6 7 .89 I . 3 2 L . 5 91 . 85 2 . 121 . 3 82 . 6 S2. 9 y
•8 8 1. 06

1 . 00 1 . 3 3I . 66 2. 002 . 33 2. 672. 993 . 3 33 . 6 6

J8
1.12 1.+1.8? 2.25Z. v 3.00 J.M?.?‹.i

2#

38
30
33

36 7 . 25 2 . 9 93 .7 1 4 . S 0S . ggfi . 016 . 7 37. 490 . 2*

2.37 3.163.95 t.75S.5a6.3t 7. 07.90.70
2-TO 3.33fl.16 5.00s.as$.$g y.4g0.33g. $
38
2.62 3.494.36 5.256.I27.01 3.BS0.749.62
40
42

46 2. BE 3 . 834 .7 8 5. 7 5 6.70 .gg g.60 g . $ g j 0 . 5 3 s.ss \0.yg TO.41 IN.4B TO.83 J.91
48 3.00 3.99I-99 6.00 is.s9 g.qj 8.sy 17 . 24 12. 37
50 3.t2 4.16S.20 6.25 3.e9 8.35 9.35 T T . 66 1 y. 62
52 3.25 t-335.40 6.TO 7.S8 8.68 9.72
s4 3 . 37 4 . 1 9S . G 3 6 .7 5 7 . BE
s+ 3 . 5o I . 6 65 . 82 3 . ri 0 8 . 16
S8 9. 0S 10 . 0 9
60 9. 35 10 . 4 7
6Z

4 . 0 0 S . 33 6 . 6 5 . 0 0 89. 33 10 . 6 8 11 . 96l3 . 33 1 4 . 6 6
664 •125 . X 9 6 . 86 8 • 259. 6 2 I T . 02 12 . 3113 . 7 4 1S . 12
 Allowable Pipe Span Formulas and 3

Table 12-13
Uniform Wind Loads (lb/in.)

Pr ess 60 65 70 BO 85 90 95 10 0

ve I oc T ty 3 22 L 27 332
u: i esyR e
2.37S .59 .64 .s9 74 .39 .BI .09 .9t .90
3.TO .BE .9t 2.02 1.09 1.Z6 1.23 1.3T 1.38 1.45
4.00 T.00 1.08 1.IG \.2s T.23 I.41 1.50 J.GB 1.66
4.500 S.12 Z.2t 1.31 J.+ri 1.49 T.59 1.60 J.GB Z.87
2 . 07 2.20 2.34 2.48 2.62 2. 7 6

0 . 6 25 2. IS 2.33 2 . 51 2.69 2. 8? 3 . 05 3. 33 3 . 41 3. 59
T 0 .7 50 2. 6 8 2 . 91 3 . 13 3 . 35 3. 58 3 . 80 4 . 03 4.Z5 I . 43
12. 7 0 3 . 18 3.45 3 . Y1 3 . 99 4 . 24 'I . SI 4 . 70 5 . 02 5 . 31

¥ 26 4 . 00 4 . 33 4 . 66 S.00 S . 33 5 . 66 6 . 00 § . 33 6.66

“ 10 4 . 50 4 . 07 $ . 2S S.62 6 . 9s 6 . 37 6.7$ 7.12 T . 50

’ 24 6 . 25 6 . 66 7 . o8 7 . $0 7 . sl 8 . 33
5.50 5.95 is.41 6.BE 3.33 Y.y9 8.25 8.70 9.S6
24 6.00 6.49 7.00 7.50 7.99 8.49 9.00 9.g9 TO.00
26 6.TO 7.048 7.SX 8.\2 8.66 9.z0 9.75 10.29 SO.03
z8 7.00 T.58 6.16 8.75 9.33 9.9t 10.TO 11.08 11.66
30 7.50 8.12 8.75 9.37 9.99 10.62 11.25 IN.07 12.50
32 8.00 8.6# 9.33 \0.00 IN.66 11.33 12.00 12.66 13.33
34 8.50 9. 20 9. 91 10.62 11 . 33 1 2 . 03 11 . 7 5 13 . 4 5 14 . 1 6

36 9. 0 0 9. 7 4 1 0 . 60 11 . P6 n . 99 1 2 . 74 Z3 . 5 ld.24 1 5 . 00

39 9.50 LO.29 II.GB 11.BE 72.66 \3.4s 14.25 15.04 15.83

40 10.0 10.83 1z.66 12.TO T3.3 It.1 1g.00 TS.83 16.66

TO.5 II.37 12.25 T3.IN 13.99 14.87 IN.75 IG.62 t7.TO

JR.0 1\.91 12.83 13.75 t4.66 25.58 16.$ 13.II t8.33

46 i.s ie. s ›3.°z ›«.av s.zz zs.es rr.ts ie.zo is.\s
t5 I2.0 I2.994 14.00 US.00 15.99 T6.99 18.00 18.99 20.00
50 12.5 13.S4 14.GB US.62 16.66 J7.70 18.75 19.79 20.83

S3.0 T4.08 !*•*8 \6.2S 17.33 Tg.41 19.50 20.SB 21.66

*8•5 !^•88 *8-8* ta.8s t8•fi9 z9.Hz TO.2s zz.ay zz.TO

S6 14.0 SS.16 16.33 \y.TO *8.66 S9.B2 2Z.00 23.16 23.2y

58 S4.5 15.7Q IG.9L 18.12 19.33 TO.53 2T.35 22.95 24.\6

60 zs.a is.e• *+•^^ zg.ys s.ys zz.2‹ zz.so zz.y‹ zs.oo

62 US.5 t6.TO T8•08 19.37 20.66 2t.9S 23.25 24.53 25.83
64 L6.0 IN.33 16.66 20.00 2T.33 72.66 24.00 25.33 26.66

66 US.5 IN.87 19.25 20.62 21.99 23.27 24.75 2G.J2 27.50