Pipe Stress Analysis

ISAT Engineering - Pipe Stress Analysis Services

Accounting for thermal loads in the seismic bracing design of mechanical piping systems has become an area of increased focus over the last several years, as evidenced not only in Building Code updates, but also by the level of scrutiny thermal systems receive during the review of seismic bracing submittal drawings. Often times, mechanical contractors attempt to follow a design shown on the contract drawings that utilizes oversized anchors and guides, flex connectors and other expansion compensators, resulting in considerable labor and material costs. In addition, the contractor typically still has to provide and install a seismic bracing system. In this scenario, when thermal and seismic systems are designed independently, loading effects required to be taken into consideration are not factored in, leaving the contractor to figure it out. This is where ISAT can help!

Stress Analysis Design

"Failed flex joint that a pipe stress analysis would have avoided"

ISAT can provide an ASME B-31 stress analysis package for your piping system that accommodates both the thermal stresses and seismic loads, all in one design. (gravity, pressure, wind, building drift, and even transient loads, such as water hammer are also considered). We then incorporate these loads into a comprehensive support and restraint design, satisfying the most current AISC-360 and ASCE design codes.

Our engineers have not only in-depth code knowledge and a solid understanding of mechanical piping systems, but also understand how seismic bracing design and bracing placement interacts with the expansion and contraction of thermal piping systems. The result is typically a drastic reduction in the frequency and cost of seismic bracing, expansion anchors and pipe guides. In most cases, ISAT can eliminate expensive components like spider guides from the system, and replace them with a simple seismic brace and standard hanger.

ISAT’s analysis can also eliminate or greatly reduce all expansion compensators from the system, eliminating not only the cost of the compensators themselves but also the labor and warranty issues associated with them! Typically the material and labor savings can easily pay for the cost of this complex analysis. Whether the system stresses are imparted due to thermal loads, high pressure thrust loads (i.e. water hammer) or blast loads, we can find a streamlined solution for your project. ISAT’s engineers literally helped write the codes that govern piping system design (ASME B-31), and, when working on your project, will combine this specialized code knowledge with advanced engineering principles to provide the leanest design possible.