Pipe Expansion and Support

Any steam system must be fully supported, able to expand during

operation and sufficiently flexible to allow movement as a result. This
tutorial includes advice on different methods and full calculations.
Allowance for expansion
All pipes will be installed at ambient temperature. Pipes carrying hot fluids
such as water or steam operate at higher temperatures.
It follows that they expand, especially in length, with an increase from ambient
to working temperatures. This will create stress upon certain areas within the
distribution system, such as pipe joints, which, in the extreme, could fracture.
The amount of the expansion is readily calculated using Equation 10.4.1, or
read from an appropriate chart such as Figure 10.4.1.
Equation 10.4.1
Where:
L = Length of pipe between anchors (m)
Temperature difference between ambient temperature and operating
T =
temperatures (C)
= Expansion coefficient (mm/m C) x 10-3

Table 10.4.1 Expansion coefficients (a) (mm/m C x 10-3)

Example 10.4.1
A 30 m length of carbon steel pipe is to be used to transport steam at 4 bar g
(152C). If the pipe is installed at 10C, determine the expansion using
Equation 10.4.1.

Alternatively, the chart in Figure 10.4.1 can be used for finding the
approximate expansion of a variety of steel pipe lengths - see Example 10.4.2
for explanation of use.

Example 10.4.2
Using Figure 10.4.1. Find the approximate expansion from 15C, of 100
metres of carbon steel pipework used to distribute steam at 265C.
Temperature difference is 265 - 15C = 250C.
Where the diagonal temperature difference line of 250C cuts the horizontal
pipe length line at 100 m, drop a vertical line down. For this example an
approximate expansion of 330 mm is indicated.

Fig. 10.4.1 A chart showing the expansion in various steel pipe lengths
at various temperature differences

Table 10.4.2 Temperature of saturated steam

Pipework flexibility
The pipework system must be sufficiently flexible to accommodate the
movements of the components as they expand. In many cases the flexibility of
the pipework system, due to the length of the pipe and number of bends and
supports, means that no undue stresses are imposed. In other installations,
however, it will be necessary to incorporate some means of achieving this
required flexibility.
An example on a typical steam system is the discharge of condensate from a
steam mains drain trap into the condensate return line that runs along the
steam line (Figure 10.4.2). Here, the difference between the expansions of the
two pipework systems must be taken into account. The steam main will be
operating at a higher temperature than that of the condensate main, and the
two connection points will move relative to each other during system warm-up.

Fig. 10.4.2 Flexibility in connection to condensate return line

The amount of movement to be taken up by the piping and any device
incorporated in it can be reduced by 'cold draw'. The total amount of
expansion is first calculated for each section between fixed anchor points. The
pipes are left short by half of this amount, and stretched cold by pulling up
bolts at a flanged joint, so that at ambient temperature, the system is stressed
in one direction. When warmed through half of the total temperature rise, the
piping is unstressed. At working temperature and having fully expanded, the
piping is stressed in the opposite direction. The effect is that instead of being
stressed from 0 F to +1 F units of force, the piping is stressed from - F to +
F units of force.
In practical terms, the pipework is assembled cold with a spacer piece, of
length equal to half the expansion, between two flanges. When the pipework
is fully installed and anchored at both ends, the spacer is removed and the
joint pulled up tight (see Figure 10.4.3).

Fig. 10.4.3 Use of spacer for expansion when pipework is installed

The remaining part of the expansion, if not accepted by the natural flexibility of
the pipework will call for the use of an expansion fitting.
In practice, pipework expansion and support can be classified into three areas
as shown in Figure 10.4.4.

Fig. 10.4.4 Diagram of pipeline with fixed point, variable anchor point
and expansion fitting
The fixed or 'anchor' points 'A' provide a datum position from which expansion
takes place.
The sliding support points 'B' allow free movement for expansion of the
pipework, while keeping the pipeline in alignment.
The expansion device at point 'C' is to accommodate the expansion and
contraction of the pipe.

Fig. 10.4.5 Chair and roller

Fig. 10.4.6 Chair roller and saddle

Roller supports (Figure 10.4.5 and 10.4.6) are ideal methods for supporting
pipes, at the same time allowing them to move in two directions. For steel
pipework, the rollers should be manufactured from ferrous material. For
copper pipework, they should be manufactured from non-ferrous material. It is
good practice for pipework supported on rollers to be fitted with a pipe saddle
bolted to a support bracket at not more than distances of 6 metres to keep the
pipework in alignment during any expansion and contraction.

Where two pipes are to be supported one below the other, it is poor practice
to carry the bottom pipe from the top pipe using a pipe clip. This will cause
extra stress to be added to the top pipe whose thickness has been sized to
take only the stress of its working pressure.
All pipe supports should be specifically designed to suit the outside diameter
of the pipe concerned.
Expansion fittings
The expansion fitting ('C' Figure 10.4.4) is one method of accommodating
expansion. These fittings are placed within a line, and are designed to
accommodate the expansion, without the total length of the line changing.
They are commonly called expansion bellows, due to the bellows construction
of the expansion sleeve.
Other expansion fittings can be made from the pipework itself. This can be a
cheaper way to solve the problem, but more space is needed to
accommodate the pipe.
Full loop
This is simply one complete turn of the pipe and, on steam pipework, should
preferably be fitted in a horizontal rather than a vertical position to prevent
condensate accumulating on the upstream side.
The downstream side passes below the upstream side and great care must
be taken that it is not fitted the wrong way round, as condensate can
accumulate in the bottom. When full loops are to be fitted in a confined space,
care must be taken to specify that wrong-handed loops are not supplied.
The full loop does not produce a force in opposition to the expanding
pipework as in some other types, but with steam pressure inside the loop,
there is a slight tendency to unwind, which puts an additional stress on the
flanges.

Fig. 10.4.7 Full loop

This design is used rarely today due to the space taken up by the pipework,
and proprietary expansion bellows are now more readily available. However
large steam users such as power stations or establishments with large outside
distribution systems still tend to use full loop type expansion devices, as
space is usually available and the cost is relatively low.
Horseshoe or lyre loop When space is available this type is sometimes
used. It is best fitted horizontally so that the loop and the main are on the
same plane. Pressure does not tend to blow the ends of the loop apart, but

there is a very slight straightening out effect. This is due to the design but
causes no misalignment of the flanges.
If any of these arrangements are fitted with the loop vertically above the pipe
then a drain point must be provided on the upstream side as depicted in
Figure 10.4.8.

Fig. 10.4.8 Horseshoe or lyre loop

Expansion loops

Fig. 10.4.9 Expansion loop

The expansion loop can be fabricated from lengths of straight pipes and
elbows welded at the joints (Figure 10.4.9). An indication of the expansion of
pipe that can be accommodated by these assemblies is shown in Figure
10.4.10.
It can be seen from Figure 10.4.9 that the depth of the loop should be twice
the width, and the width is determined from Figure 10.4.10, knowing the total
amount of expansion expected from the pipes either side of the loop.

Fig. 10.4.10 Expansion loop capacity for carbon steel pipes

Sliding joint
These are sometimes used because they take up little room, but it is essential
that the pipeline is rigidly anchored and guided in strict accordance with the
manufacturers' instructions; otherwise steam pressure acting on the cross
sectional area of the sleeve part of the joint tends to blow the joint apart in
opposition to the forces produced by the expanding pipework (see Figure
10.4.11). Misalignment will cause the sliding sleeve to bend, while regular
maintenance of the gland packing may also be needed.

Fig. 10.4.11 Sliding joint

Expansion bellows
An expansion bellows, Figures 10.4.12, has the advantage that it requires no
packing (as does the sliding joint type). But it does have the same
disadvantages as the sliding joint in that pressure inside tends to extend the
fitting, consequently, anchors and guides must be able to withstand this force.

Fig. 10.4.12 Simple expansion bellows

Bellows may incorporate limit rods, which limit over-compression and overextension of the element. These may have little function under normal
operating conditions, as most simple bellows assemblies are able to withstand
small lateral and angular movement. However, in the event of anchor failure,
they behave as tie rods and contain the pressure thrust forces, preventing
damage to the unit whilst reducing the possibility of further damage to piping,
equipment and personnel (Figure 10.4.13 (b)).
Where larger forces are expected, some form of additional mechanical
reinforcement should be built into the device, such as hinged stay bars
(Figure 10.4.13 (c)).
There is invariably more than one way to accommodate the relative
movement between two laterally displaced pipes depending upon the relative
positions of bellows anchors and guides. In terms of preference, axial
displacement is better than angular, which in turn, is better than lateral.
Angular and lateral movement should be avoided wherever possible.
Figure 10.4.13 (a), (b), and (c) give a rough indication of the effects of these
movements, but, under all circumstances, it is highly recommended that
expert advice is sought from the bellows' manufacturer regarding any
installation of expansion bellows.

Fig. 10.4.13 (a) Axial movement of bellows

Fig. 10.4.13 (b) Lateral and angular movement of bellows

Fig.
10.4.13 (c) Angular and axial movement of bellows
Pipe support spacing

The frequency of pipe supports will vary according to the bore of the pipe; the
actual pipe material (i.e. steel or copper); and whether the pipe is horizontal or
vertical.
Some practical points worthy of consideration are as follows:

Pipe supports should be provided at intervals not greater than shown in

Table 10.4.3, and run along those parts of buildings and structures
where appropriate supports may be mounted.
Where two or more pipes are supported on a common bracket, the
spacing between the supports should be that for the smallest pipe.
When an appreciable movement will occur, i.e. where straight pipes
are greater than 15 metres in length, the supports should be of the
roller type as outlined previously.
Vertical pipes should be adequately supported at the base, to
withstand the total weight of the vertical pipe and the fluid within it.
Branches from vertical pipes must not be used as a means of support
for the pipe, because this will place undue strain upon the tee joint.
All pipe supports should be specifically designed to suit the outside
diameter of the pipe concerned. The use of oversized pipe brackets is
not good practice.

Table 10.4.3 can be used as a guide when calculating the distance between
pipe supports for steel and copper pipework.

Table 10.4.3 Recommended support for pipework

The subject of pipe supports is covered comprehensively in the
European standard EN 13480, Part3.

Supporting of Piping Systems: Few Guidelines

Introduction:

Piping systems -Major Part of any hydrocarbon industry.

Pipes as irregular space frames usually not self supporting.
Proper pipe support knowledge during layout stage is advantageous.
Loads to be transmitted from pipe to supporting structures with the help
of pipe supports.

Why Pipe supports are necessary ?:

To prevent..

Pipe stresses in excess to code allowable limits.

Leakages in flanged joints etc.
Excessive Line Vibrations.
Undesirable effects of Seismic loading.
Unintentional disengagement (lift off) of piping from its supports.
Excessive pipe sag (Normally more than 10 mm for process piping and
2.5 mm for power piping).
Exposure of elements to temperature extremes, outside their design
limit.
Undesirable line movements to protect sensitive equipment against
overloading.
Excessive loading in support itself
To limit thermal expansion

Codes and Standards on pipe supports:

MSS-SP-58- Establishes the material, design, and inspection criteria to

be used in the manufacturing of standard pipe supports. (USA)
MSS-SP-69- Provides recommendations for the selection and
application of pipe supports. (USA)
MSS-SP-89- Provides recommendations for the fabrication and
installation of pipe supports. (USA)
BS-3974- Specification of pipe supports 1, 2, 3. (UK)
VGB-R-510 L- Standard supports guidelines. (Germany)
RCC-M- Specifications for pipe supports. (France)
MITI 501- Technical regulations (Japan)

Design and selection of pipe supports:

The complex requirement of todays support elements are, reliable

functioning, maintenance free operation, economic and easy
installations, quick delivery of components and low unit prices.
Major Criteria governing support hardware are Support function,
Magnitude of expected load, space limitations, design temp of piping
system, expansion effects of piping systems, piping attachment and

supporting structure material compatibility, piping insulation, suitability

to environment, ease of operation, inspection and installation.

Layout considerations for Supports:

Group pipe lines so as to minimize the number of structures needed

solely to pipe supports.
Route lines close to the possible point of supports ( i.e. grade or
structure which is provided for other purposes.)
Supports or braces to be located at or near neutral pts. (thermal null
pts)
Supports to be located as near as possible to concentrated loads such
as valves, flanges, heavy actuators etc.
Piping susceptible to vibration such as compressor connected lines to
be supported independently. The use of hold down or similar supports
offering resistance to motion and providing some damping capacity to
be used rather than hanging type supports.
Piping connected to top of vessel to be advantageously supported from
the vessel to minimize relative movement between supports and
piping.
Always maintain the distance between supports as per project
specification recommended support span table. ( it is applicable to
straight run pipe length only.) When change of direction in a horizontal
plane occur, it is suggested that the spacing be limited to times the
standard pipe span.
Sufficient space to be provided to facilitate support assembly
installation, inspection and maintenance.

General support terminology and basic function:

Restraint- Any device that prevents, resists, or limits the free thermal
movement of piping.
Brace- A device primarily intended to resist displacement of piping due
to forces other than thermal expansion and gravity.
Anchor- A rigid restraint providing substantially full fixation.
Stop- A device which permits rotation but prevents translatory
movements of piping.
Guide- A device which prevents the rotation about one or more axis.
Hold Down Support- A device which holds the pipe in position
disallowing vertical upwards movement or allows only decided upward
movement.
Hanger- A support by which piping is suspended from a structure which
functions by carrying piping load in tension.
Resilient support- A support which includes one or more largely elastic
members to carry pipe sustain + thermal loads at the same time
allowing pipe thermal movement in the desired direction.
Sliding support- A device which is provided below piping to take gravity
loads, offering no resistance other than frictional to horizontal motion.
Rigid support- A support providing stiffness in at least one direction.

Damping element- A device which increases damping of a system

offering high resistance against rapid displacement, caused by
dynamic loading while permitting essentially free movement.

Types of Supports:

Hanger Supports 1) Variable Hanger 2) Constant Hanger 3) Rigid

Hanger.
Dynamically Loaded Supports 1) Struts 2) Snubbers 3) Sway Brace
4) Energy absorbers 5) Pipe Clamps 6) Pipe whip / Hold down
restraints.
Pipe Bearing Components 1) Pipe Saddle 2) Pipe Shoe 3) Pipe
Trunnion 4) Wear Pad.
Threaded Members 1) welding nut 2) welded beam attachment 3)
Clevis 4) Turn buckle 5) Tie rod 6) Stud bolt, nut, locknut, spring
washers etc.
Slide Bearing Plates Teflon, Stainless steel, graphite.
Pipe Supports for Cold Service.
Depending on Support Position-Primary Support and Secondary
Support

Pipe Support Manufacturers:

Piping Technology and Products Ltd.

Carpenter and Paterson Ltd.
Lisega ltd.
Binder Group Ltd.
Pipe Support Group Ltd.
Sarathi Engg Ent Pvt Ltd.
Anvil Group etc to name a few

Support Engineering:
Minimum Data required to start supporting:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Piping GAD
Electrical and Inst cable trench/trays layouts
Civil and Structural drawings
Piping spec and line list
Insulation spec
Valves weights
Equipment connection displacements
Stress recommendations (Stress isometrics) and Support loads.

Pipe Span :
Typically piping is supported at regular intervals on steel supports embedded
in concrete foundation or directly on steel structure. The distance between
supports is the span.
Basis for calculation of Maximum support span:

There are three main factors which affects the support span.

Stress
Deflection/ sagging and
Frequency of piping system (for two phase flow lines, reciprocating
equipment connected lines, vibrating lines etc.)

Guidelines for Typical Piping System:

1. Supporting of Stress Critical Lines:

Criteria for critical lines

Support location by Designers
Support type by stress engineer
Primary attachments and secondary supports by designers
Line stop/Guide gaps to be taken care

ii. Supporting of non- critical lines:

Sr. designer to decide support type

Support span
Guide span
Concentrated loads e.g. valves, inst
Long piping leg, stress engineer to be consulted

iii. Supporting of Insulated Pipes:

No direct resting, pipe shoe to be provided

Min. clearance between the insulation and the supporting structure
shall be at least 50 mm.

iv. Supporting of Non- Insulated Pipes:

Directly rested except following

Pipes with sizes larger than DN 600

CS pipes with less than SCH 20
SS pipes with less than SCH 10S
The pipe require a slope
Dissimilar material to avoid galvanic corrosion
Pipe to be supported on pipe shoe to avoid damaging to pipe wall

v. Vertical pipes:

Standard span chart does not apply

Supports to be located on the upper half of the portion (i.e. above C.G.
of pipe)
Vertical guide spacing
Clamped supports with weld-on shear lugs to avoid the pipe slipping
under the clamp

Pipe support
A pipe support or pipe hanger is a designed element that transfer the load
from the Pipe to the supporting structures. The load includes the weight of
pipe proper, the content the pipe carries, all the pipe fittings attached to pipe &
the pipe covering such as insulation. The four main functions of a pipe support
are to anchor, guide, absorb shock and support a specified load. Pipe
supports used in high or low temperature applications may contain insulation
materials. The overall design configuration of a pipe support assembly is
dependent on the loading and operating conditions.
Loads on Piping System
Primary Load
These are typically steady or sustained types of loads such as internal fluid
pressure, external pressure, gravitational forces acting on the pipe such as
weight of pipe and fluid, forces due to relief or blow down, pressure waves
generated due to water/steam hammer effects.
Sustained Loads:

Internal/External Pressure : A pipe used for transporting fluid would be

under internal pressure load. A pipe such as a jacketed pipe core or
tubes in a Shell & Tube ex-changer etc. may be under net external
pressure. Internal or external pressure induces stresses in the axial as
well as circumferential (Hoop Stress) directions. The pressure also
induces stresses in the radial direction, but these are often neglected.
The internal pressure exerts an axial force equal to pressure times the
internal cross section of the pipe. F =P[d^2/4]. If outer diameter is
used for calculating approximate metal cross-section as Pressure well
as pipe cross-section, the axial stress can often be approximated as
follows : S =Pd /(4t)

Dead Weight : It is the self weight of pipe including fluid, weight of

fittings & other inline components (say valve, insulation etc.). This type
of loads act throughout the life cycle of pipe. These Loads cause
bending and the bending moment is related to normal and shear
stresses. Pipe bending is caused mainly due to two reasons :
distributed weight load (e.g. fluid weight) and concentrated weight load
(e.g. valve weight).

Occasional Loads:

Wind Load : Piping which are located outdoors and thus exposed to
wind will be designed to withstand the maximum wind velocity
expected during the plant operating life. Wind force is modeled as a
uniform load acting upon the projected length of the pipe perpendicular

to the direction of the wind. Wind pressure for various elevations will be
used to calculate wind force using the following formula. Fw = Pw x S x
A, where Fw = The total wind force, Pw = The equivalent wind
pressure, S = Wind shape factor, A = Pipe exposed area.

Seismic Load : Seismic load is one of the basic concepts of earthquake

engineering which means application of an earthquake-generated
agitation to a structure. It happens at contact surfaces of a structure
either with the ground,[2] or with adjacent structures,[3] or with gravity
waves from tsunami.

Water Hammer : Water hammer (or more generally, fluid hammer) is a

pressure surge or wave caused when a fluid (usually a liquid but
sometimes also a gas) in motion is forced to stop or change direction
suddenly (momentum change). Water hammer commonly occurs when
a valve closes suddenly at an end of a pipeline system, and a pressure
wave propagates in the pipe. It's also called hydraulic shock.
Steam hammer : Steam hammer, the pressure surge generated by
transient flow of super-heated or saturated steam in a steam-line due
to sudden stop valve closures is considered as an occasional load.
Though the flow is transient, for the purpose of piping stress analysis,
only the unbalanced force along the pipe segment tending to induce
piping vibration is calculated and applied on the piping model as static
equivalent force.

Safety Valve Discharge : Reaction forces from relief valve discharge is

considered as an occasional load. The reaction force due to steady
state flow following the opening of safety relief valve in an open
discharge installation can be calculated in accordance with ASME
B31.1 Appendix II and applied on the piping model as static equivalent
force.
Secondary Load

Just as the primary loads have their origin in some force, secondary loads are
caused by displacement of some kind. For example, the pipe connected to a
storage tank may be under load if the tank nozzle to which it is connected
moves down due to tank settlement. Similarly, pipe connected to a vessel is
pulled upwards because the vessel nozzle moves up due to vessel
expansion. Also, a pipe may vibrate due to vibrations in the rotating
equipment it is attached to.
Displacement Loads:

Load due to Thermal Expansion of pipe

Load due to Thermal movement of Equipment

A pipe may experience expansion or contraction once it is subjected to

temperatures higher or lower respectively as compared to temperature at
which it was assembled. The secondary loads are often cyclic but not

always.For example load due to tank settlement is not cyclic. The load due to
vessel nozzle movement during operation is cyclic because the displacement
is withdrawn during shut-down and resurfaces again after fresh start-up. A
pipe subjected to a cycle of hot and cold fluid similarly undergoes cyclic loads
and deformation.

Types of pipe supports

Pipe Guides (Cylinder Pipe Guides - Spider Guides)

Rigid Support
Spring Support
Snubber/Shock Absorber
Rigid Support

Rigid supports are used to restrict pipe in certain direction(s) without any
flexibility (in that direction). Main function of a rigid support can be Anchor,
Rest, Guide or both Rest & Guide.
1) Stanchion/Pipe Shoe:
Rigid support can be provided either from bottom or top. In case of bottom
supports generally a stanchion or Pipe Clamp Base is used. It can be simply
kept on steel structure for only rest type supports. To simultaneously restrict in
another direction separate plate or Lift up Lug can be used. A pipe anchor is a
rigid support that restricts movement in all three orthogonal directions and all
three rotational directions, i.e. restricting al the 6 degrees of freedom This
usually is a welded stanchion that is welded or bolted to steel or concrete.[2] In
case of anchor which is bolted to concrete, a special type of bolt is required
called Anchor Bolt, which is used to hold the support with concrete. In this
type of support, normal force and friction force can become significant. To
alleviate the frictional effect Graphite Pad or PTFE plates are used when
required.

Pipe Anchors (Permali Cold Shoes)

2) Rod Hanger:
It is a static restraint i.e. it is designed to withstand tensile load only (no
compression load should be exerted on it, in such case buckling may take
place). It is rigid vertical type support provide from top only. It consists of
clamp, eye nut, tie rod, beam attachment. Selection of rod hanger depends on
pipe size, load, temperature, insulation, assembly length etc. As it comes with
hinge and clamp, no substantial frictional force comes into play.
3) Rigid Strut:
It is a dynamic component i.e. is designed to withstand both tensile and
compression load. strut can be provide in vertical as well as horizontal
direction. V-type Strut can be used to restrict 2 degrees of freedom. It consists
of stiff clamp, rigid strut, welding clevis. Selection depends on pipe size, load,
temperature, insulation, assembly length. As it comes with hinge and clamp,
no substantial frictional force comes into play.

Spring Support

Spring supports (or Flexible supports) use helical coil compression springs (
to accommodate loads and associated pipe movements due to thermal
expansions). They are broadly classified into Variables Effort support &
Constant effort support. The critical component in both the type of supports
are Helical Coil Compression springs. Spring hanger & supports usually use
Helical coil compression springs. The springs are manufactured either by the
cold coiling process (where wire diameter is less than 12 mm) or by Hot
coiling process Springs are classified as Light & Heavy . Light springs are
normally cold formed Heavy springs are manufactured by the hot coiling
process.
Springs are designed using the formulae :- Spring Rate ( K ) = (d^4 x G)/8 x
(Dm)^3 x Wc Where: d = Wire Dia in mm, Dm= Mean Diameter of Spring Coil,
Wc= Total no of working coils, K = Spring rate or Spring Constant in Kg/mm,
G = Modulus of Rigidity normally 80,000 N/mm2 8154.9 kg/ mm2.
1.Variable Spring Hanger or Variable Effort Support:

Variable spring hanger

Variable effort supports also known as variable hangers or variables are used
to support pipe lines subjected to moderate (approximately up to 50mm)
vertical thermal movements. VES units (Variable effort supports) are used to
support the weight of pipe work or equipment along with weight of fluids (
gases are considered weightless) while allowing certain quantum of
movement with respect to the structure supporting it. Spring supports may
also be used to support lines subject to relative movements occurring typically
due to subsidence or earthquakes. A VES unit is fairly simple in construction
with the pipe virtually suspended directly from a helical coil compression
spring as the cut away sectional sketch shows below. The main components
being:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Top Plate
Pressure plate or Piston Plate
Bottom plate or base plate
Helical Spring
Turnbuckle assembly
Locking Rods
Name Plate
Can section or cover

Normally Clients / Engineering Consultants will furnish the following data

when issuing enquires for Variable effort units.
1. Hot Load
2. Thermal Movement (with direction i.e. up or + & down or -)
3. Maximum Load variation in Percentage (LV % max), if Max LV is not
specified then it is assumed to be 25% as per MM-SP58.
4. Type of Support i.e. whether hanging type, foot mounted type etc.
5. Special features such as travel limit stop required if any.
6. Preferred surface protection / Paint / Finish.
Hot load is the working load of the support in the Hot condition i.e. when the
pipe has traveled from the cold condition to the hot or working condition.
Normally MSS-SP58 specifies max Load Variation ( popularly called LV) as
25%.[4]

Salient Features

Allows movement in vertical direction

Load on pipe varies with movement

Used where

Displacement < 50mm

Load variability < 25%
Rod angulation should be less than 4

Load Variation (LV) or Percentage variation =[(Hot Load ~Cold Load) x

100]/Hot Load or Load Variation (LV) or Percentage variation =[(Travel x
Spring Rate) x 100]/Hot Load Generally spring supports are provided from top
but due to layout feasibility or any other reason Base Mounted type support is
fixed to floor or structure & the pipe is made to sit on top of the flange of the
spring support.
2.Constant Spring Hanger or Constant Effort Support:

Bell crank in CSH

When confronted with large vertical movements typically 150 mm or 250 mm,
there is no choice but to select a constant effort support (CES). When the
Load variation percentage exceeds 25% or the specified max LV% in a
variable hanger, it is choice less but to go for a CES. For pipes which are
critical to the performance of the system or so called critical piping where no
residual stresses are to be transferred to the pipe it is a common practice to
use CES. In a constant effort support the load remains constant when the
pipe moves from its cold position to the hot position. Thus irrespective of
travel the load remains constant over the complete range of movement.
Therefore its called a constant load hanger. Compared to a variable load
hanger where with movement the load varies & the hot load & cold load are
two different values governed by the travel & spring constant. A CES unit
does not have any spring rate.
Most prevalent work principle for CSH is Bell Crank Mechanism. The Bell
crank lever rotates around the Fulcrum point. One end of the Bell crank lever
is connected to the pipe P, the other end is connected to the spring by the tie
rod. Thus when the pipe moves down from cold to hot condition, the point P

moves down, and as it moves down the Bell crank lever will rotate in the anti
clock wise direction & tie rod connected to the spring will be pulled in, by
which the spring gets further compressed. When the pipe moves up the bell
crank lever will rotate (in the clock wise direction) & the tie rod connected to
spring will be pushed out thus allowing the spring to expand or relax.
Another popular principle is three spring or adjusting spring mechanism. In
this case one main vertical spring takes the main load of the pipe. There are
situated other two spring with horizontal orientation to balance any extra load
coming in upward or downward direction.

Snubber or Shock Absorber

Dynamic Restraints: The restraint system performs an entirely different

function to that of the supports. The latter is intended to carry the weight of the
pipe work and allow it to move freely under normal operating conditions. The
restraint system is intended to protect the pipe work, the plant and the
structure from abnormal conditions; it should not impede the function of the
supports.Conditions that necessitate the use of restraints are as follows
Earthquake. Fluid disturbance. Certain system functions. Environmental
influences. In areas that are situated on or near to geological fault lines it is
common practice to protect the plant from potential earthquake activity. In
such plant there will be a very large requirement for dynamic restraints. Fluid
disturbance can be caused by the effect of pumps and compressors or
occasionally fluid in a liquid state entering a pipe intended for the
transportation of gas or steam. Some system functions such as rapid valve
closure, pulsation due to pumping and the operation of safety relief valves will
cause irregular and sudden loading patterns within the piping system. The
environment can cause disturbance due to high wind load or in the case of
offshore oil and gas rigs, impact by ocean waves. The restraint system will be
designed to cater for all of these influences. A restraint is a device that
prevents either the pipe work or the plant to which the pipe work is connected
being damaged due to the occurrence of any one or more of the above
phenomenon. It is designed to absorb and transfer sudden increases in load
from the pipe into the building structure and to deaden any opposing
oscillation between the pipe and the structure. Therefore dynamic restraints
are required to be very stiff, to have high load capacity and to minimize free
movement between pipe and structure.
Depending on working principle, snubbers can be classified as

Hydraulic Snubber: Similar to an automobile shock arrestor the

hydraulic snubber is built around a cylinder containing hydraulic fluid
with a piston that displaces the fluid from one end of the cylinder to the
other. Displacement of fluid results from the movement of the pipe
causing the piston to displace within the cylinder resulting in high
pressure in one end of the cylinder and a relatively low pressure in the
other. The velocity of the piston will dictate the actual difference in
pressure. The fluid passes through a spring-loaded valve, the spring
being used to hold the valve open. If the differential pressure across

the valve exceeds the effective pressure exerted by the spring, the
valve will close. This causes the snubber to become rigid and further
displacement is substantially prevented. The hydraulic snubber is
normally used when the axis of restraint is in the direction of expansion
and contraction of the pipe. The snubber is therefore required to extend
or retract with the normal operation of the pipe work. The snubber has
low resistance to movement at very low velocities.

Mechanical Snubber: Whilst having the same application as the

hydraulic snubber, retardation of the pipe is due to centrifugal braking
within the snubber. A split flywheel is made to rotate at high velocity
causing steel balls to be forced radially outwards. The flywheel is
forced apart by the steel balls causing braking plates to come together
thus retarding the axial displacement of the snubber. Rotation of the
flywheel is generated by the linear displacement of the main rod acting
on a ball-screw or similar device. It is also very expensive.

A shock absorber absorbs energy of sudden impulses or dissipate

energy from the pipeline. For damper and dashpot, see Shock
absorber
An insulated pipe support (also called pre-insulated pipe support) is a
load-bearing member and minimizes energy dissipation. Insulated pipe
supports can be designed for vertical, axial and/or lateral loading
combinations in both low and high temperature applications.
Adequately insulating the pipeline increases the efficiency of the piping
system by not allowing the "cold" inside to escape to the
environment.[5] For insulated pipe, see Insulated pipe

Insulated Supports (Cold Shoes)

An engineered spring support upholds a specific load, including the

weight of the pipe, commodity, flanges, valves, refractory, and
insulation. Spring supports also allow the supported load to travel
through a predetermined thermal deflection cycle from its installed
condition to its operational condition.

Engineered Spring Supports (Variable Springs)

Materials

Pipe supports are fabricated from a variety of materials including structural

steel, carbon steel, stainless steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, ductile iron
and FRP composites. Most pipe supports are coated to protect against
moisture and corrosion.[6] Some methods for corrosion protection include:
painting, zinc coatings, hot dip galvanizing or a combination of these.[7] In the
case of FRP composite pipe supports, the elements required to form a
corrosion cell aren't present, so no additional coatings or protections are
necessary.[8]

Standards

Design: ASME B31.1, ASME B31.3, ASME Section VIII Pressure

Vessels
Manufacturing: MSS-SP58 (Material, Design, Manufacture, Selection,
Application & Installation), MSS-SP69 (Selection & Application), MSSSP77, MSS-SP89, MSS-SP90, AWS-D1.1, ASTM-A36, ASTM-A53,
ASTM-A120, ASTM-A123 and A446, ASTM-A125, ASTM-A153,
ASTM-307 and A325, ASTM-C916, ASTM-D1621, ASTM-D1622,
ASTM-D1623
Quality Systems: ISO 9001, ASQC Q-92, CAN3 Z299
Testing: ANSI B18.2.3