JITENDRA SURVE

PIPING GUIDE

03/04/03

SUPPORT SPACING
Spacing between supports on a single horizontal line is dependent only on strength of pipe. In a typical process unit, support spacing is largely determined by spacing of conveniently located columns. Commonly, the spacing of support racks must provide for weakest pipe. In cases, where there is pocketing due to sag, an allowed larger span may be considered. The small diameter pipes can also be supported in between from large diameter pipe running adjacent to it. Sometimes, the diameter of pipe is increased to make it self supporting.

Allowable spans for horizontal lines are principally influenced by the need to : 1. Keep the stresses within suitable limits. 2. To limit deflection (sagging) if necessary for: Appearance. Avoiding pockets. Avoiding interferences. 3. Control the natural frequency to avoid undesirable vibrations. SUPPORT SPACING FORMULA

For a suitably supported beam, the span is given by:

But the actual end condition is different from simply supported beam uniformly distributed load or both end fixed beam with uniformly distributed load. Hence the above two formulae get modified to:

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JITENDRA SURVE

PIPING GUIDE

03/04/03

The exception to above equation: 1. Effect of valves (Concentrated load) are not considered. 2. Piping in static state except for movement induced by temperature changes, effect of pulsation, vibration, sway or earthquake are not taken into account. NATURAL FREQUENCY

The natural frequency of a piping system is defined as:

The natural frequency corresponding to 1 inch sage is 3.12 cps. Another reason for limiting deflection of piping system is to make pipe stiff enough with high natural frequency to avoid large amplitude under any small disturbing force. Although the value seem to be too low, in practice the natural frequency will be higher because 1. End moments neglected here will raise the frequency by more than 15%. 2. Critical span as usually limited by stresses is rarely reached. 3. The pipe weight assumed is often larger than actual load.

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JITENDRA SURVE

PIPING GUIDE

03/04/03

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