1

References:
• ASME B31.3
• Piping Design Handbook, Nayyar, 7th Edition
• COADE Seminar, 2013
• Piping Design and Engineering, Grinnell, 3rd Edition
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Stress Vs. Strain Curve

Tensile Strength
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Stresses of Thin Straight Pipe

• Longitudinal stress: 𝑆𝐿 =
𝐹 𝑃𝐷 𝑀 𝑇
( + + )2 +(2 )2 Where Z= Ro/I
𝐴 4𝑡 𝑍 2𝑧
𝑃𝐷
• Hoop stress: 𝑆𝐻 =
2𝑡
• Radial stress 𝑆𝑅 = Zero. Can be ignored
because of the thin wall assumption.
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Failure Theories
How much of the previous stresses should fail the pipe?
• Maximum distortion theory (von Mises):
▫ Failure occurs when 𝜎𝑣 = 𝑆𝑦

• Max shear stress theory (Tresca)

𝑆𝑦
▫ Failure occurs when 𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 𝜎𝑚𝑖𝑛 = Ʈ𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 2

• Max Stress – Rankine Theory

▫ Failure occurs when 𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑆𝑦

Where,
𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 : Maximum of hoop or longitudinal stresses
𝜎𝑚𝑖𝑛 : Equals radial Stress or compressive longitudinal stress
𝑆𝑦 : Material Yield strength,
Ʈ𝑚𝑎𝑥 : Maximum Shear Stresses
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Stress Categories
• Primary stresses :
▫ Due to Weigh and pressure
▫ Initiated by force.
▫ Not self-limiting

• Secondary stresses :
▫ Due to thermal expansion or misalignment or
soil settlement
▫ Caused by displacement stresses
▫ Self-limiting

• Peak stresses :
▫ Due to sharp edges and corners
▫ Stress concentration points
ASME B31.3 Allowable Stresses
• Allowable Stresses due to Sustained load is
SL ≤ SH
• Allowable Stresses due to Expansion stresses is
SA ≤ f ( 1.25 SC + 0.25 SH ) where f = 6(N)-0.2
• Allowable Stresses due to Occasional loads can be taken as 1.33 SH

SL : Stresses due to sustained loads

SH : Allowable Stress at maximum temperature
SC : Allowable Stress at minimum temperature
F : Stress Range Reduction Factor
N : Number of cycles
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Load Scenarios
• Sustained:
▫ While the whole system is not operating and filled with the fluid.
▫ Only considers weight or pressure.
▫ Causes primary stresses and peak stresses in fittings
• Operating:
▫ While the system is operating totally or partially according to process
requirements scenarios.
▫ Considers the primary loads (weight and pressure), operating thermal
loads.
▫ Causes primary, secondary and peak stresses
• Occasional:
▫ While the system is experiencing an abnormal conditions, such as relief
valve discharge , wind or earthquake .
▫ Consider the operating and sustained loads while occasional loads is
occurring
▫ Causes primary, secondary, peak and dynamic (or equivalent static)
stresses
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Fatigue While Operation

• Occurs due to repeated startup/ shutdown or cyclic loads applied on
piping.
• In ASME B31.3, 20 years corresponds to 7000 cycles
• Fatigue factor should be multiplied by the allowable stress of the
material (≤ 1)
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Fatigue Factor Calculation Para. 302.3.5

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Creep Deformation
• Is the tendency of a material to deform permanently under the
influence of mechanical stresses. It can occur as a result of long-
term exposure to high levels of stress that are still below the yield
strength of the material. Creep is more severe in materials that are
subjected to heat for long periods.

Requirements
Prevent the piping system to be
too constrained (rigid)
• Prevent failure of piping or supports
from overstress or fatigue
• Prevent detrimental stresses or
distortion in piping and valves and
connected equipment.
• Compute the stress range at any point
due to displacements and ensure it does
not exceed the allowable.
• Compute reaction forces and moments
and ensure it is not detrimental to
supports or connected equipment.
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Para.
319.1
Prevent the piping system to
be too flexible
• Prevent leakage at joints
• Compute movement of the piping
to be within prescribed limits
• Unintentional disengagement of
piping from supports
• Excessive piping sagging in piping
requiring drainage slope or pipe
subject to creep
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Para.
Reactions 319.5
• Sustained loads + Operating (thermal) loads + Occasional (if
applicable) used to design Restraints
• Evaluated against allowable equipment nozzle loads, supports
allowable loads.
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Means of Increasing Flexibility

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Suggested Pipe Support ASME

B31.1
Spacing
• For horizontal straight runs of
standard and heavier pipe at
maximum operating temperature of
750°F (400°C).
• Does not apply where span
calculations are made or where there
are concentrated loads between
supports, such as flanges, valves,
specialties, etc.
• The spacing is based on a fixed beam
support with a bending stress not
exceeding 2,300 psi (15.86 MPa) and
insulated pipe filled with water or the
equivalent weight of steel pipe for
steam, gas, or air service, and the
pitch of the line is such that a sag of
0.1 in. (2.5 mm) between supports is
permissible.
Pipe Supporting - Span
Pipe Support Span calculation based on deflection
Pipe support span is a decision that faces the designer in
most pipe supporting jobs. As a guide to the selection of
support spacing, the following equation based on
permissible mid span deflection is offered.
The permissible mid-span deflection, y, concept is one
technique commonly selected for support spacing. This
technique is based on a specified mid-span, y deflection of the
supported pipe considering the pipe, contents, and insulation
weights. The equation is:
L= [y.E.I / 22.5.W]¼
where:
L = pipe support spacing, feet,
y = permissible mid-span deflection, inches
E = modulus of elasticity at design temperature, lb/in (TABLE C-6(
I = moment of inertia of pipe.
W = weight of supported pipe, including pipe, contents, insulation, lb/ft.
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Para. 321
Piping Support
• More supports are provided in MSS-SP-58
standard
• Gray iron is not recommended if the piping
may be subject to impact-type loading
resulting from pulsation or vibration.
Ductile and malleable iron may be used for pipe
and beam clamps, hanger flanges.
• Steel of an unknown specification may be used for
pipe supporting elements that are not welded
directly to pressure containing piping
components.
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Para.
Spring Supports 321.2.3
• Springs shall be provided with means to prevent misalignment,
buckling, or eccentric loading of the springs, and to prevent
unintentional disengagement of the load.
• Constant-support spring hangers provide a substantially uniform
supporting force throughout the range of travel.
• Means shall be provided to prevent excessive deflections. It is
recommended that all spring hangers be provided with position
indicators.
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Pipe Supporting Problems