JITENDRA SURVE

PIPING GUIDE

03/04/03

STRESS ANALYSIS
Americal National Code for Pressure Piping: ANSI B 31

Provides guidelines for stress analysis

1. B31.1 Power piping.
2. B31.2 Fuel piping.
3. B31.3 Chemical plant and petroleum refinery piping.
4. B31.4 Liquid transportation system for hydrocarbon, LPG,
anhydrous ammonia and alcohol.
5. B31.5 Refrigeration piping.
6. B31.8 Gas transmission and distribution piping.
7. B31.9 Building services piping.
8. B31.11 - Slurry transportation piping.
CODE REQUIREMENTS

Design Pressure
The design pressure of each component in a piping system shall not be
less than the pressure at the most sever condition of coincident
internal or external pressure and temperature (minimum or
maximum), expected during service.
The most severe condition is that which results in the greatest required
component thickness and the highest component rating.
Design Temperature
The design temperature of each component in a piping system is the
temperature is the temperature at which, under coincident pressure,
the greatest thickness or highest component rating is required.
1. Uninsulated Metallic Components:
Fluid Temp < 100F(38C): Component temp = Fluid temp.
Fluid Temp => 100F (38C): Unless a lower average wall
temperature is indicated by test or heat transfer
calculations, the temperature for uninsulated component
shall be no less than following.
o : Valves, pipe, lapped end welding fittings and
other components having wall thickness
comparable to that of pipe : 95 % of fluid
temperature.
o : Flanges (Except lap joint) including those on
fittings and valves : 90 % of fluid temperature.
o : Lap joint flanges : 85 % of fluid temperature.
o : Bolting : 80 % of fluid temperature.
2. Externally Insulated Piping:
The component design temperature shall be fluid
temperature unless calculations, tests or services
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JITENDRA SURVE

PIPING GUIDE

03/04/03

experience based on measurement supports use of another

temperature.
When the piping system is heated or cooled by tracing or
jacketing, this effect shall be considered in establishing
component design temperature.
3. Internally Insulated Piping:
The component design temperature shall be based on heat
transfer calculations.
SCOPE OF CODE RULES

Codes provide recommendations or mandatory requirements on the

following design topics.
o The thickness of pipe to withstand internal pressure.
o The thickness of pipe to withstand external pressure.
o Reinforcement requirements of branch connection.
o Minimum flexibility requirements for external expansion.
o Allowable stresses for various piping materials.

Of these, last three come under scope of stress engineer.

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