Stress Analysis of Piping

The analysis of piping under pressure, weight and thennal expansion is complex. This complexity can
be understood by knovledge of Principal Axis System.
Stress is considered as the ratio of Force to Area. To find the stress in the small element, say cube of a
piece of pipe, construct a three-dimensional, mutually perpendicular principal axis system with each
axis perpendicular to the face of the cube it intersects.
Each force, acting on the cube can be resolved into force components, acting along each of the axis.
Each force, acting on the face of the cube divided by area of the cube face is called the principal stress.
The principal stress acting along the centerline of the pipe is called Longitudinal principal stress. This
stress is caused by longitudinal bending, axial force loading or pressure.
Radial principal stress acts on a line from a radial line from center of pipe through the pipe wall. This
stress is compressive stress acting on pipe inside diameter caused by internal pressure or a tensile stress
caused by vacuum pressure.
Circumferential principal stress, some times called Hoop or tangential stress, acts along the
circumference of the pipe. This stress tends to open-up the pipe wall and is caused by internal pressure.
When two or more principal stresses act at a point on a pipe, a shear stress will be generated.
Longitudinal Principal stress, LPS = PD/4T
Circumferential Principal stress, CPS (Hoop) = PD/2T
Radial Principal stress, RPS = P

Failure Theories
The Code presents equations for detennining the stress levels in a piping system & provides stress
limits for comparison. These theories are maximum principal stress failure theory & maximum shear
stress failure theory.
The maximum principal stress failure theory states that when anyone of the three mutually
perpendicular principal stresses exceed the yield strength of the material at temperature, failure will
occur.
The maximum shear failure theory states that when the maximum shear stress (arithmetic average of
largest minus smallest principal stresses) exceeds one-half the yield strength of the material at
temperature, failure will occur.

Stress Types
The B31.3 Code provides design guidance for primary & secondary stresses. The basic characteristic of
a primary stress is that it is not self-limitinI!. ..\5 long as the load is applied, the stress will be present &
will not diminish \\~th time or as defonnation takes place. The failure mode of a primary stress. is gross
defonnation progressing to rupture. Examples of a primary stress are circumferential stresses due to
internal pressure & longitudinal bending stresses due to gravity. The basic characteristic of a secondary
stress is that it is self- limiting. The stress will diminish with time and strain. The failure mode of a
secondary stress is small crack leading to leakage. Secondary stresses are due to cyclic thermal
expansion and contraction.

Wall thickness for Internal Pressure

Calculate the adequate pipe wall thickness for a given material and design conditions, as follows:
1. Calculate pressure design thickness t with formula
t = P x D I [2 (SE+PY)] ... ... ... ... Eq. (3a)
where
P = internal design gauge pressure
D = pipe outside diameter
S = Shallowable stress from Appendix A-I, B31.3
E = Welding Quality factor
Y = stress-temperature compensating factor from table 304.1.1
2. Add the mechanical corrosion/erosion allowances c to obtain
t(m) = t+c
3. Add mill tolerance to t(m) to select next commercially available schedule wall thickness.
WaIt thickness for External Pressure:(REA) (Read with Appendix-A)
The required minimum thickness of a pipe under external pressure is determined as detailed out in
ASME Section VIII Division I Para UG-28 for Do/t > 10 as follows:
Nomenclature:
A = factor determined from 5-UGO-28.0
B = factor determined from the applicable material chart for maximum design metal temperature.
Do = Outside diameter of pipe in inches.
E = Modulus of elasticity at design temperature.
L = Total length of pipe, inches P = External design pressure, psi
Pa = Calculated value of the maximum allowable external working pressure for the assumed value of
t,
psi T = minimum required thickness of pipe, inches
Procedure
Assume a value for t & determine ratios LIDo & Dolt. If LIDo > 50, assume 50 & LIDo < 0.5,
assume 0.5.
1. Enter figure 5-UGO-28.0, Appendix 5 at the value of LIDo.
2. Move vertically to the graphed line on the Dolt graph for the value of UDo. There are several graphs
in Section VIII. Select the graph for the material under consideration. From the point of intersection,
move horizontally to the left to determine the value of factor A.
3. Enter the value of A in the applicable material graph & move vertically to an intersection with the
line. Where the value of A falls to the right of the line, assume an intersection with the horizontal
projection of the upper end ofline. For value of A falling to the left of the line refer 5 below.
4. Move horizontally from the intersection to the left to find the value of factor B. Calculate the value
of maximum allowable external pressure using following formula: Pa = 4B / 3(Do/t)

5. For tl e values of A fal1ing to the left of the line mentioned in 3 above, calculate Pausing following
formula: Pa = 2AE / 3(Do/t)
6. If Pa < P, select a larger value of t and repeat the entire procedure till Pa 2: P.

Design of Miters ( Read with Appendix -B)

Miter bends have pressure limitation, as calculated by equations (4a, 4b & 4c of 304.2.3 of B31.3) A
miter is defined as an angle off-set greater than three degrees. Multiple miters, whose miter cut angle is
less than 22.5 degrees are limited to a pressure that will generate hoop stresses not to exceed 50% of
the yield strength of the material at temperature. This is done by restricting the maximum pressure to
the lesser value as calculated by equation (4a) or (4b) in the code. Single miters or miters whose bend
angle is greater than 22.5 degrees are limited to hoop stresses of 20% of the material: ield strength at
temperature by equation (4c).

In all the equations above, T is purchase order thickness i.e. Nominal thickness less mill tolerance.

Design of Branch Connections (Read with Appendix - C)

The amount of required pressure reinforcement is determined by performing area replacement
calculations (304.3.3). Area replacement calculations are not required for unlisted tee intersections,
provided the tee component meets at least one of the following requirements:
1. Duplicating a successful operating system.

2. Experimental stress analysis.

3. Proof test.
4. Detailed finite element stress analysis.
The B3I.3 procedures for replacement calculations are valid for the conditions:
1. The center line of the branch pipe must intersect the center line of the run.
Intersections that do require reinforcement calculations (those that ale not qualified by 304.7.2 or by
being listed), are qualified by summing all the integral metal around the intersection, (within a
prescribed boundary), (reinforcementare area) that is beyond that required to contain pressure and
comparing that sum to the metal area removed to make the intersection.
Referring fig. 304.3.3 Branch connection nomenclature,

Blind Flanges
Blind flanges are used to stop the flow of content of piping. They are exposed to full longitudinal
pressure force. B31.3 provides an equation to calculate the thickness of blind as follows:

Flexibility Analysis Of Piping Systems

The safety of a piping system subjected to a temperature change and resulting thermal displacement is
determined by a flexibility analysis to insure against following:
1. Overstrain of piping components
2. Overstrain of supporting structures
3. Leakage at joints and
4. Over strain of connecting equipment without material waste.
Compliance with B31.3 Code flexibility analysis is a requirement of most petroleum and chemical

plant piping installations. The code places the onus of this analysis on the designer and holds the
designer responsible to the owner for assuring that all the engineering design complies with the
requirements of the Code.
The code is clear as to which piping systems require an analysis, all systems require an analysis with
the exception of the following. (319.4.1)
1. Those that are duplicates of successfully operating installations.
2. Those that can be judged adequate by comparison with previously analysed systems and
3. Systems of uniform size that have no more than two anchor points, no intermediate restraints and fall
within limitation of the following equation.

Where
D = Outside diameter of the pipe, in. (mm.)
Y = Resultant total displacement strains, in (mm), to be absorbed by the piping system.
L = Developed length of piping between anchors, ft (m).
U = Anchor distance, straight line between anchors, ft (m).
K1 = 0.03 for U.S. customary units (208.3 for SI Units).
The allowable stress range, S A [302.3.4 (d)] is the stress limit for those stresses that are repeated and cyclic in
nature. It is the allowable stress to be compared to the calculated displacement stress range, S E (319.4.4).
The allowable stress range is presented by two equations.
Equation (1a):
SA = f (1.25 SC + 0.25 Sh).
And equation (1b):
SA = f [1.25 (SC + Sh) S1]
Sc and Sh are the basic allowable stresses for the cold and hot conditions. Their values are found in B31.3
appendix A table A1. For cryogenic or cold pipe service, SC is taken at operating temperature and S h is taken at
the installed temperature. f is the stress range reduction factor presented in B31.3 table 302.3.5 or equation
(1c). SL is the longitudinal stress in the sustained load condition.

Displacement Stress Range

The displacement stress range SE is the calculated range of secondary stress a piping system will generate when
subjected to thermal expansion or contraction. Pressure and weight i.e. primary stresses are not considered in this
evaluation. This value is compared with allowable stress range, S A. The B31.3 equation for the
displacement stress range is

Cold Spring
Cold spring in a piping system is the intentional deformation of the piping for the purpose of reducing
pipe end reactions on supports and equipment. This deformation is introduced during fabrication and
erection by cutting the pipe length long or short, depending on the expected thermal expansion. Pining
systems operating above the installed temperature would be cold sprung by shortening the pipe length
by an amount equal to or less than the expected thermal expansion. The thermal reaction is reduced to a
lower value Rm by the equation.
Rm = R ( 1 0.66 C) Em/En
Where
R = reaction force from thermal analysis.
Em = modulus of elasticity at maximum temperature
En = modulus of elasticity at operating temperature
C = Cold spring factor varying from 0 ( no cold spring) to 1.0 (100% cold spring.)
Cold spring is the process of offsetting or preloading the piping system with displacement loads i.e. cutting short
or long the pipe between two anchors.

Occasional Load Stresses:

Occasional load stresses in piping systems are the some of those stresses caused by loads such as relief valve
discharge, wind and earthquake. These are calculated considering the:
a. Pipe deflection caused by wind load acting as a horizontal constant pressure on the outside surface of pipe
or
b. Pipe deflection caused by earthquake loads, acting as a horizontal or vertical acceleration of the mass or
weight.
The wind and ear thquake loads need not be considered as acting simultaneously. The allowable loads for
occasional loads, SOL, summed up with the stresses due to sustained loads, S L, is 1.33 Sh i.e. SOL + SL 1.33 Sh.

Maximum Span for Piping:

The empirical formula for calculating maximum span is

Where
L = span in metres
S = safe stress in Kg/cm2. (i.e. longitudinal stress due to internal pressure.)
Z = Pipe section modulus in cm3.
W = uniformly distributed load in Kg/m.
The uniformly distributed load W = weight of pipe + weight of medium +weight of insulation ( all per m length.)

Thermal Expansion Analysis:

Simplified Analysis
Simplified analysis is based on guided cantilever method. Guided cantilever is a cantilever restrained by guides
at free end in such a way that its free end will not rotate when deflected direction perpendicular to longitudinal
axis. The guides themselves displace along with free end. In this case, bending moment M is given by

M = 6EI / L2
Where
M
E
=
I
=

=
L = Length of span

Bending
Modulus
Moment
Deflection

of
of
perpendicular

moment
elasticity
Inertia
to
axis

Corresponding stress S = iM/Z, I = Stress intensification factor Analysis of Thermal Displacements and
Expansion Movements
Three simple rules are quite handy in this analysis.
1. For a coplanar piping, thermal movement of pipe perpendicular to the axis depends upon to.
length of piping irrespective of piping routing.

Expansion at point B in both the cases is same.

2. For a vertical stretch of piping of length L, if two anchored horizontal segments of lengths m and are
connected then, the nil-displacement point divides length l in the ration m : n.

Also, the vertical expansion is in the ratio of m : n.

3. Displacement triangle rule for a pipe: If is displacement of one end y with respect to other a,
then displacement at any point will be such that

Slope for Piping

To prevent pocketing of water or condensate at low point of the pipe, the pipe must be sloped such that
Slope = 4 where is the deflection of pipe.

Expansion Joints:
Expansion joints are used for following reasons:
1. Reduce expansion stresses
2. Reduce piping reactions on connected equipment
3. Reduce pressure drop in system by avoiding long expansion loops
4. Isolate mechanical vibration
Various types of Expansion Joints are use to take care of displacements in
a.
b.
c.
d. Torsion

Angular

Axial
Lateral
Rotation

and

Proper guide spacing is essential for successful operation of Expansion Joints. The Expansion Joint

Manufacturers Association Inc. (EJMA), a US based body, recommends a guide spacing from
expansion joint based on the pipe diameter, D, as follows:
First guide at a distance of 4D from the joint
Second guide at a distance of 14D from first guide
If the in-built flexibility of the piping system is not adequate to take care of thermal expansion, the
piping system would be subjected to stresses exceeding yield point limit, causing plastic deformation
and permanent damage of the system. Expansion joint are employed in such cases. They are capable of
absorbing the thermal deflections/ expansions in a manner safeguarding the piping system.
There are 3 types of expansion joints commonly used.
1. Slip type/ telescope type.
2. Corrugated type/ bellows type
3. Expansion loops
1. Slip Type/ Telescope Type
It consists of a slip-element sliding telescopically within fixed piping, serving as outer jacket. The
lean path between jacket and slip element is sealed using packing materials. Compatible with the
fluid a operating temperatures.
This type of joint has following characteristics:
a) Since the leak-tightness is obtained by the packing, it results two contradictory requirements.
i.

For

proper

leak-tightness

high

tightening

pressure

is

required.

ii. For easy movements of telescope sleeve, low tightening pressure is required.
In actual practice therefore, there is limit for applying tightening pressure and thus a perfect leakproc.. point cannot be obtained.
Therefore it is not suitable for zero leakage operations (i.e. for toxic chemical radioactive services etc.)
b) Packing material wears out due to cyclic movement of the sleeve, causing contamination of packing
material. It therefore requires periodic replacement/ maintenance and contamination makes unsuitable
for
food/ pharmaceutical services.
c) Requires highly accurate alignment of piping on either side to ensure uniform tightness all around.
d) Packing materials being essentially non-metallic elements, it has its own limitations for pressure
temperature applications.
e) Suitable only for axial expansion. Any angular (rotation), lateral (offset) displacement of pipes cause
unequal compression of packing & hence leakage.
f) Essentially suitable for low temp. Low-pressure applications.
2. Bellows Type
Metallic bellows of compatible materials (using stainless steels) and thinner than piping thickness are
to compensate the thermal expansion. Thickness of bellows is of the order of 1.0 to 2.0 mm.

Bellow type joints have several advantages over telescopic type.

a) No packing materials, hence no potential leakage points.
b) No contamination problems, no wear and tear of packing and no replacement shutdown changing the
packing materials.
c) Can by used in services, which also call for some degree of angular movement or movements, in
addition to axial movements, However cannot absorb torsional movements.
d) Metal bellows are thinner than piping materials, hence susceptible to rupture by over pressure.
e) Bellows can also fail in fatigue due to:
i. Stress concentration at crest or valley of corrugations.
ii. Repeated exposure to cyclic stresses.
3. Expansion Loops
Expansion loops are of same pipe material. They can absorb bending and torsion of pipe. They are most
suitable for high pressure/ temperature applications. However, they occupy larger space and are heavy
and bulky. Although several types of configurations are possible, the most preferred is U-type in single
plane or two-plane.

Pipe Supports:
Pipe supports are provided as means to transfer to soil:
a. The load of piping system (dead load, product load)
b. Loads due to pressure- induced effects, vibrations, wind etc.
c. Transient load effects.
The piping supporting elements shall be provided in such a manner that:
1. Piping supports do not cause excessive interference with thermal expansion and contraction of pipe,
which is otherwise adequately flexible.
2. They should not contribute to leakage at joints or excessive stresses at the points where they support
piping system.
3. Be such that a complete release of the load will be prevented in the event of spring failures, or
transient loads imposed on piping system.
Supports can be broadly classified as:
Hanger type (Suspended from ceiling)
Support or resting type ( on ground or structure)
Secondary supports (Not directly attached to pipe)
Hanger rods may be with or without springs. Springs are also used in resting types.
Spring Supports
Spring supports are of two types:
Variable springs

 Constant springs
Constant springs are used when expected displacements are of very high magnitude and/or supports are
located nearby critical and sensitive equipment such as pumps, turbines etc. This is to prevent load
being transferred to connected equipment after displacement.
Variable springs are used at balance applications. These can be safety used, for variation of loads below
25%. Load variation V, is defined as:
V=

x 100

(Cold load Hot load = Spring rate x travel)

Variable springs transfer the differential load (occurring due to displacement) to connected equipment
or adjacent supports.

Figure 1.3 Chart for determining shell thickness of components under external pressure when
constructed of carbon or low alloy steels (specified minimum yield strength 24,000 psi to, but not
including, 30,000 psi) [Note (1)]

Figure 1.4 Chart for determining shell thickness of components under external pressure when
constructed of carbon or low alloy steels (Specified minimum yield strength 30,000 psi and over except
for
materials
within this range where other specific charts are referenced) and type 405 and type 410 stainless steels
[Note(1)]

Appendix B

Figure 1.5 Nomenclature for miter bends