How is piping stress analysis done?
Piping stress analysis is the most important activity in the design of piping systems. After the initial design of the pipelines, it is necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the system in the desired period of time (design life).
This is done by stress analysis or “Piping Flexibility Analysis”.
Weight, pressure (internal or external), temperature changes, cross-sectional loads (wind, earthquake, discharge of safety valve) and forces caused by vibration are the main sources of stress on piping systems.
What is the purpose of piping stress analysis?
The purpose of stress analysis of piping systems is to ensure structural integrity (sufficient pressure for fluid passage, resistance to various loads), operational integrity (limiting loads on connected equipment, preventing leakage at connection points, limiting sliding/displacement somewhere) and optimal design (preventing deformation and additional loads on supporting structures).
What are the piping stress analysis documents?
Among the guidelines and codes used for piping stress analysis of process and power plant piping systems, the following can be mentioned:
ASME B31.3: Process piping.
ASME B31.1: Power plant piping
API 610: Positive displacement pumps.
API 617: Centrifugal Compressors.
API 618: Reciprocating compressors.
NEMA SM23/ API 612: Steam Turbines.
API 661: Air Cooled Heat Exchangers.
API 560: Furnaces.
API 650: Welded Storage Tanks.
TEMA: heat exchangers.
ASME Section VIII: Tanks.
ASME B31.4/ASME B31.8: Pipeline stress analysis.
ISO 14692: Stress analysis of GRE/GRP/FRP piping.
EN 13480: Metallic industrial piping.
