A Conundrum – The Difficulties of Pipe Stress Analysis for Cold Pipes
Water NZ Conference 2017
Ross Sinclair
Introduction
• Why carry out pipe stress analysis on a cold pipe?
– Changes in temperature
– Displacements
– Limits on nozzle loads
– To quantify forces and stresses for large diameter piping
systems
2
Pump Nozzle Load Compliance
Client:
“We are happy with the piping design…….
provided the pump supplier accepts the
nozzle loads.”
3
Nozzle Loads on Pumps
Bending Moment (kNm)
4
Pump Structure
5
Nozzle Loading Categories
• Allowable nozzle loadings
are based on operating
conditions
• What do we do for loads
arising from seismic
action?
6
Pump Procurement
• Agree nozzle loading values
before purchasing pump
– Operating loads
– Higher loads for occasional
actions (seismic/wind)
• Always beneficial to engage in
a dialog with pump vendors on
nozzle loadings
7
Behind the scenes in pipe stress analysis
8
Local stresses on pipe wall
• Finite element analysis
• High load supports
– next to valves
– bottom of risers
• Sensitive pipes
• Thin walled pipes
9
Pump Station Example
Design:
25°C ambient
40°C maximum
10
Pump Station - Suction piping
Anchor
Anchor
54 kN load vs.
10 kN allowable
11
Modelling – Hot vs. Cold Systems
12
Edward Klein, Pipe Stressing Engineer, Houston
13
Pump Station - Suction Piping
14
Pump Station - Suction Piping
k3
k2
k1
15
30
Pump Station–Discharge Piping 25
Nozzle Loads
20
15
10
A B C A B C A B C
0
Fx
Fx Fz
Fz My
My
Option A Option B Option C
16
Bellows or Expansion Joints
17
Untied Bellows
Tank
Untied Pump
bellows
18
Tied bellows movement
lateral
displacement
Flanges
must stay
parallel
lateral displacement
angular movement
19
Flexibility Concept Anchor at
midpoint
20
Flexibility Concept
Valve
weight near
headers
Vertical
offset for
flexibility
Supports
to carry
pipe weight
21
Conclusions – Cold Water Piping Systems
• More effort required for analysis of system with limited
flexibility
• Piping designs should start with a sound “flexibility
concept”
• Pipe stress is desirable if compliance has to be
demonstrated
• Pipe stress analysis can be beneficial for large
systems
• Bellows should be used with care
22
© Copyright Jacobs
November 6, 2017 [Link] | worldwide