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Vibration Attenuation
Larry Thau, Victaulic
U
nanticipated noise and vibration can be problematic
for both occupants and processes within structures.
Noise and vibration in piping systems can originate at
pumps and other mechanical equipment. If the system design
does not accommodate vibration, a variety of issues ranging
from annoyances to actual business interruptions can occur.
3-D model of a pump assembling the coupling on the joint, and tightening the nuts
with flexible couplings and bolts with standard hand tools. Some manufacturers offer
installation-ready couplings that are even faster to install than
standard couplings because they do not need to be disassembled
prior to installation. The coupling can simply be pushed onto
the pipe ends and tightened.
Welding is an inherently dangerous task. Not only does
the process expose site personnel to health concerns, it also cre-
ates a fire hazard. The welding process releases toxic fumes and
particulate matter that unnecessarily put the welder and other
workers in the vicinity at risk. The use of couplings removes
this risk along with the potentially time-consuming filing of
hot work permits and other site precautions.
Once assembled, proper installation can be visually con-
firmed, without the use of X-rays or other NDE methods, by
verifying that the coupling housings meet metal-to-metal on
the bolt pads.
The speed and ease of installation also carries over into
system maintenance. Once installed, a coupling provides a union
at every joint. Should the piping system need to be accessed for
gasket creates a discontinuity similar to that of a flex connec- maintenance, two couplings can be disassembled, and the pipe
tor, while the design of a flexible coupling allows the joint to section needing maintenance can be easily removed. While
accommodate up to 5 deg of deflection. maintenance is performed on one part of the piping system,
The design of the coupling is different from a flex connec- appropriately placed couplings can allow for ease in rerouting
tor. The couplings housings hold the gasket in compression to the system to reduce downtime.
create a seal against the pipe, while providing both space for the Unlike flanges, which must be consistently tightened to
elastomeric material to flex, and containment to prevent over- avoid gasket slippage, a couplings nuts and bolts do not need
stretching. Full metallic containment is provided. Couplings to be tightened during routine maintenance. A flange puts vari-
maintain noise and vibration attenuation qualities, as well as able stress on the gasket, nuts and bolts, whereas a coupling
the ability to accommodate deflection, expansion and contrac- holds the gasket in compression from the outside of the pipe
tion, throughout the piping systems life. joint. While the couplings bolts and nuts hold the housings
The gasket material attenuates vibration as well as noise together, the coupling holds the pipe ends together.
transference, and the ductile iron housings provide vibration- Like a welded or flanged joint, rigid couplings provide a
dampening qualities due to the materials inherent dampen- strong, sturdy, inflexible joint. Flexible couplings can also be
ing coefficient. In fact, testing conducted by SSA Acoustics in used in other places throughout the piping system where flex-
Seattle showed that three couplings placed in series in a pipe ibility is needed to accommodate deflection, thermal expansion
section dampened overall vibration amplitude by 80 to 90 per- and contraction, and/or seismic movement.
cent, with each successive joint creating a further reduction in Grooved piping systems have been specified in some of
vibration. the worlds most demanding construction projects, including
the Hoover Dam and the recently completed Burj Dubaithe
Additional Benefits of worlds tallest building.
Grooved Piping Systems Grooved piping is generally accepted for virtually all piping
This compounding effect provides good incentive to use cou- in underground mines and hydraulic elevators, and the pre-
plings throughout the length of a piping system, not just at ferred method for fire protection systems and HVAC piping.
pump or equipment connections. The sound- and vibration- In the industrial sector, couplings are used in specialty process
dampening qualities of couplings are just one of the reasons and utility piping systems in the oil sands, power generation, oil
grooved mechanical piping systems are specified on a variety of production and reverse osmosis industries, among others. The
piping services. Some of the better-known reasons that grooved grooved systems use in these demanding applications speaks to
systems are specified over welded and flanged systems include the methods reliability. When it comes to reducing noise and
ease and speed of installation and maintenance, safety and reli- vibration, couplings are one solution with a host of benefits.
ability. Where flexible couplings are used, stress induced into P&S
pump housings by alignment variables can be minimized. Larry Thau is the executive vice president and chief tech-
In terms of installation, grooved systems are up to 10 times nical officer with Victaulic, Easton, Pennsylvania, www.
faster to install than other pipe-joining methods. The process victaulic.com.
of joining grooved piping is as simple as aligning the pipe ends,