10/19/2015

A Primer on Pipe supports | Hydraulics content from Machine Design

A Primer on Pipe supports

Moo-Zung Lee

Aug 28, 2013

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Controlling the structural behavior of piping is critical to reliability, safety, and long life. Heres a look at some of the
fundamentals, and good resources for additional information.

R E LAT E D

A Primer on Pipe supports (.PDF Download)

Weighing the advantages of tubing versus pipe
Software guides piping designs and pump selections
Flexible Primer-Free Adhesive

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This file type includes high resolution graphics and
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Piping systems are often not self-supporting because of routing, length, and weight factors. Weight
loads include the weights of pipes, contents, insulation, valves, fittings, and possibly the supports.
Gas, air, and steam lines that require hydraulic tests must also consider the added water weight.
Restraining pipe movements from thermal expansion imposes loads on the pipe. Pressure-wave
propagation from water hammer generates thrust loads on pipe sections. (See Taming water
hammer,http://machinedesign.com/news/taming-water-hammer.) Wind can sway outdoor
pipes. And earthquakes induce both vibration and differential anchor-movement loads.
Engineers need to predict and
control the structural
behavior of piping under
various loads for a fluid
system to operate reliably
and safely. Time-tested
industrial experience on pipesupport design can be found
in Design of Piping Systems
by the M. W. Kellogg Co.,
Houston, and ASME Codes,
as listed in the accompanying
references. Here are some of
the fundamentals.

Pipe supports
Pipe supports in the
broadest sense encompass
the entire range of
structural elements and mechanical devices that transmit loads from pipes to adjacent structures
or the ground. They carry the weight, limit pipe movements, and manage both the stresses in the
pipes and loads on equipment. A wide range of options is available to design engineers.
Hangers carry w eight from above a pipe w ith the support assem blies in
tension.

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A Primer on Pipe supports | Hydraulics content from Machine Design

Hangers carry weight

from above a pipe
with the support
assemblies in tension.
A hanger suspends
the weight of about
half of the adjacent
pipe spans, the riser
within those spans,
and the hanger
assembly itself.
Hangers must be
adjustable while
supporting the
weight. Adjustment
Variable supports rely on preloaded com pression coil springs. They are used w here
nuts and turnbuckles
rigid hangers have difficulty uniform ly distributing the load.
should have full
lengths of thread
engagement with locking devices. ANSI coarse threads with Class 2 allowance/tolerance are
recommended. Use the root area of the external thread for stress calculations. Hangers need adequate
length so that any motion does not impose large horizontal restraining forces on the pipe.

Rigid hangers (or hanger rods) are simple devices that consist of a rod, clamp, and attachment
nuts. Theyre suitable for pipes with limited vertical thermal movements, such as cooling water
pipes.
Variable supports (or variable-load spring
hangers) are equipped with factory-preloaded
compression coil springs. Preloaded
compression springs are compact and fail-safe
while tension springs are not.

Constant supports keep load deviation w ithin a few percent

throughout the travel range.

Variable support is used where rigid

hangers have difficulty uniformly
distributing the load. Variable support gives
or takes some load from its cold-set level
while following thermal-induced vertical
movements of the pipe. That means a
portion of the load transfers to or from
adjacent supports and equipment. Load
variation is defined as:

Variability factor = (operating load

nonoperating load)/operating load = ky/Wmax.

ASME Codes recommend the variability factor to be 25%. Use support load and travel as the
parameters for sizing a variable support. Commercially available spring hangers indicate spring
compression at the approximate hot and cold positions of the piping. Springs are sized to avoid
bottoming out under maximum loads. Use travel stops for hydraulic test, inspection, and
maintenance of spring hangers.
Constant supports (or constant-load
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spring hangers) maintain an

approximately constant support force as a
pipe moves vertically. Industry practice is
to keep load deviation within 6%
throughout the travel range. ASME
defines deviation from load-test readings
as:

Deviation = (maximum reading

Struts are designed to handles tension and com pression loads.
moving down minimum reading
moving up)/ (maximum reading
moving down + minimum reading moving up).
The accompanying graphic (from Design of Piping Systems by Kellogg) illustrates how a constantsupport mechanism works. At a moment equilibrium of the rocker mechanism,
W(Rcos) = P(rcos).
If a pipe moves down under hot conditions, the rocker rotates counterclockwise. The shorter arm
moves with a small change in moment arm, rcos, to increase spring load, P. The long arm moves
with a large change in moment arm, Rcos, to afford a small change in W required to maintain
equilibrium. The moment equilibriums at cold and hot conditions lead to the deviation expression:

By making the short arm nearly perpendicular to the spring rod, cosh/cosc 1. The sharp angle
between the long arm and linkage to the pipe gives
cosc/cosh < 1 to partially offset
Ph/Pc>1. As a result, by appropriate choice of variables, Wh/Wc 1 or deviation 0 is realizable.
Constant support is most
suitable for sensitive
locations that require
uniform supporting force, or
the setup cannot tolerate
transferring large portions of
load to adjacent supports or
equipment over the operating
temperature range of pipes.
Routing pipe w ith offsets or loops allow s room for therm al expansion.

Resting supports, such as

concrete saddles and welded stools, carry weight from below the pipe with the assembly mainly in
compression. Supports may be fixed or slide on bases. Bolted down bases, U-bolts, or other holdhttp://machinedesign.com/hydraulics/primer-pipe-supports

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down devices provide a means for preloading. Resting a pipe directly on a support without preload
could reduce service life, due to impingement or rubbing under sustained vibrations.

Restraints
Restraints resist movements to control pipe position.
Pipes far from supporting structures typically use tie
rods or struts. Tie rods only handle tension loads.
Struts withstand tension and compression, but must
not buckle.

Tracking data

Documenting design calculations can be a

nightmare if not done right. It is advisable to
document all calculations so theyre
traceable and reviewable. Traceability
creates a complete road map of
Stops restrain translation in one or both directions
along one or more axes. Guides prevent pipe rotation information flow, even down to narrow
targets such as the paragraph of the
about one or more axes. Stops and guides are for
specification, or the page, equation, or figure
pipes close to supporting structures. High stress in
pipe due to large moments is usually accompanied by number of a reference. For a large drawing,
write down the exact title, the drawing,
large displacements one or two sections away.
revision and sheet numbers, and the
Pinning down those sections using stops or guides
coordinates for locating the object.
usually reduces pipe stresses.
Anchors constrain translation and rotation of pipes in A reviewable document requires that
calculations be detailed enough for qualified
all axes. Typical anchors include equipment
people to duplicate them and understand the
connections, heavy valves secured to foundations,
document without help from the originators.
concrete walls, and floors. Anchors can control
Computer program input lists should include
movements of large systems or isolate influences
all data and commands to reproduce
from one zone to another.
identical outputs. Those documents are best
Thermal loads
compiled using popular software that is easy
Thermal loads on anchors arise when designs restrict to manage. One application that fits the bill
pipe expansion/contraction. There are three common is MathCad. It improves quality and
productivity by mixing text regions and
ways to mitigate the problem:
calculations, enforces unit consistency to
Offsetting and loops allow room for expansion and, eliminate errors, and lets one set of
thus, reduce thermal load on anchors as shown in calculations be quickly copied and modified
the accompanying illustration.
to create another.
Elastic support makes an anchor slightly flexible. It
reduces thermal load as follows:

Difficult connection-load situations

are often resolved using the stiffness
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vector of the equipment connection

in the analysis model rather than
assuming it is rigid. This helps ensure
a support is not overdesigned because
greater rigidity increases support
reactions.

Elastic supports reduce therm al loads by m aking the anchors slightly

flexible.

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This file type includes high resolution graphics and
schematics.
Expansion joints absorb thermal expansion or contraction to lessen loads on anchors or restraints.
But restraints on both sides of an expansion joint must bear the fluid force from the pipe; and
friction forces in slip type or deflection forces in corrugated expansion joints.
Fluid force consists of pressure and momentum
components. Pressure is greatest during hydraulic
testing, typically 1.3 times the design pressure. And
momentum forces cannot be ignored in high-flowvelocity lines. Most support failures near expansion
joints are due to neglecting the fluid force, which
tends to separate an expansion joint much like a
hydraulic jack.

Resources and references

The piping industry has long and extensive

experience in support design. In addition, a
wide range of commercially available
standard components let engineers choose
suitable hardware for most supports. Major
manufacturers of piping and support
products are also good sources of technical
For large pipes like a penstock, offsetting or loops are information. And any designer of piping
impractical. Expansion joints must be used even for supports should not overlook one vital step:
environmental temperature variations and short
walk down a few piping systems to see how
pipes between anchors when expansion is restricted. and why the pipes are so routed and
More information on expansion joints is available
supported.
from manufacturers like U.S. Bellows Inc., Houston.
Some good references for pipe-support
Differential anchor movement arises because anchors design include:
on different foundations move at different amplitudes
(and they never move in synch during earthquakes). Design of Piping Systems, The M. W. Kellogg
Differential thermal movements of vessels or main Co., Revised Second Ed., John Wiley & Sons,
pipes are similar, although they occur more slowly. Inc., 1956
Supporting pipes near connections from a vessel, or
keeping the first support of a branch pipe a good
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Power Piping, USAS B31.1.0, USA Standard

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distance from the run pipe, reduces loads on the

connection.

Code for Pressure Piping, The American

Society of Mechanical Engineers, 1967

Snubbers

ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Sec.

III, Subsection NF, 1974 Ed

Snubbers resist fast-acting loads much like rigid struts

but allow slow thermal movement with little
NAVCO Piping Datalog, National Valve and
resistance. The devices effectively resist shock, water Manufacturing Co., Pittsburgh PA. 1974
hammer, and earthquake loads. Snubbers are sized
Variable Spring Pipe Support Sizing, Piping
based on load capacity and maximum travel.
Technology & Product, Inc. Bulletin.
A hydraulic snubber consists of a main cylinder with
Variable Spring Supports versus Constant
a piston, and a compensation cylinder or reservoir.
Spring Supports, Dr. Hyder Husain,
The main cylinder and piston rod, respectively, are
connected to opposite ends of the snubber unit. A port Pipingtech.com, Dec. 2, 2010.
connects valves at both ends of the cylinder. When
the pipe moves slowly, the piston pushes fluid
through the valves to the back side with little
resistance. When the piston reaches a threshold
velocity, the outlet valve closes to stop the flow and
the unit behaves like a rigid strut. Reverse motion
works in a similar fashion.

Expansion Joints, U.S. Bellows Inc.

Engineering Pipe Support, Hydraulic
Snubbers, Piping Technology & Product
Inc. Bulletin, 2009.
The Mechanical Snubbers, Piping
Technology & Product, Inc. Bulletin, 2009.

A mechanical snubber consists of telescoping tubes, ball

nut/screws, and brake mechanisms. The tubes connected Mathcad, PTC Inc.
to opposite ends of the snubber support the nut and

screw, respectively. The ball

nut-screw pair converts linear
relative acceleration between
the two ends of the snubber to
rotational acceleration of the
screw shaft. The torquetransfer element on the shaft
rotates the inertia mass
through a helical torsionspring coupling. When
acceleration reaches a
threshold, the inertia reaction
torque tightens the spring,
shrinks its diameter, and
presses on a stationary
Expansion joints absorb therm al expansion and contraction, but they m ust
mandrel to brake. The torque
handle fluid and friction forces.
transfer mechanism lets the
device works similarly with
reverse motion. When the pipe moves slowly, the mass inertia acceleration reaction is insufficient to
cause braking and both ends of the snubber can freely move in or out.

Design tips
Selecting support locations usually starts with weight balance. Designers should first position
weight supports near heavy lump masses such as valves and long risers. Then space the rest of the
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supports outward from those locations and the anchors, always considering availability of
structural members to attach supports. Estimate support spacing for weight using simple beam
equations considering sag of about 0.1 in. for power piping. Or use support spacing tables in the
Codes as a starting point. Then add thermal restraints to control pipe movements. And install
vibration sway braces (or struts) at strategic locations usually positions of maximum vibration
displacement. Place snubbers in the longitudinal directions of long sections to bear waterhammer
loads.
Structural attachments
include nonintegral and
integral attachments. The
former include clamps,
straps, U-bolts, and saddles
that are bolted or otherwise
connected to pipes to
transmit loads. Integral
The piston rod in a hydraulic snubber m oves freely w ith slight pipe
attachments, such as lugs,
m ovem ents, but the unit behaves like a rigid strut above a threshold velocity.
shoes, stanchions, and
trunnions are parts of
supporting elements that are welded to the pipe. Welding attachments to pipes is preferred to welding
them to valves, elbows, tees, or other fittings, which complicates local stresses and impairs flexibility.
However, consider the compatibilities of thermal-expansion coefficients, strength, ductility, and
weldability of attachments and pipe materials. A general rule is to keep the weakest link of the support
assembly away from the pipe, and make supports subordinate to the pipe to protect pressure-retaining
boundaries especially when severely overloaded.

Supplemental steel members can bridge existing

supporting structures and pipe support components.
These structures typically include posts, beams, and
brackets built from structural steel shapes such as
angles, channels, I-beams, H-beams, plates, and
pipes mainly by welding.

Nomenclature
A = Flow area of pipe, in.2
Am = Metal area of pipe or bar, in.2

E = Modulus of elasticity, psi

e = Free thermal expansion or elongation,
When designing pipe supports, use software tools and in.
finite-element programs with caution. Calculate
F = Force on support, lbf
combined loads by adding results from concurrent
gc = 32.2 fps2 /(lb/lbf)
load cases coordinate by coordinate. The absolute
L = Length of span, in.
sum method is the most conservative method and
justifiable if the system has both positive and negative k, ks = Spring rate, general, support, lbf/in.
m = Mass flow rate = w/gc
loads. The algebraic sum method, known as the
superposition principle, is applicable for static loads P = Load on spring, lbf
but leads to gross errors when combining dynamic
p = Internal pressure, psi
loads because the frequencies and phase angles of
T = Change in temperature, F
dynamic responses are not tracked. As a result, the
V = Flow velocity, fps
sum may be smaller than its components. The SRSS W = Weight load on hanger, lbf
(square root of sum of squares) method is generally w = Flow rate, lb/sec
accepted as the most reasonable method for
= Coefficient of thermal expansion,
combining dynamic loads. Combined loads are then in./in./F
multiplied by safety factors to get the design loads of = Short arm angle, deg
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the supports.

= Long arm angle, deg

= Support deformation, in.

A piping system is an irregular 3D structure.

Determine loads on supports and stresses in pipes by
considering the entire system including masses, stiffnesses, and boundary conditions. Support
design should proceed concurrently and iteratively with stress analysis of the piping system to
ensure the supports are effective and model assumptions are reasonable. The final goal is to satisfy
both the stress criteria of the pipe and connection load requirements of the equipment.

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