Description: Sway Brace Product: AutoPIPE Version number: V8i (v9.

1) Submitted by: MU

Run Static Analysis with GR, T1, load cases with 0 Stiffness Inclined Support and no Preloads

Read Thermal Movement (T1) in the restraint direction of Inclined Support

Enter Non-zero Stiffness for Inclined Support

Enter GR, T1 Preloads and T1 displacements at Inclined Support

Re-Run STATIC Analysis

Observe Close to Zero Operating Load on the Inclined Support & Restraining Anchor

Sway Brace
Sway Braces are commonly used for vibration control, absorbing shock loading, guiding thermal movement, or bracing against sway.

Example
Definition: Sway Brace has a rigid stiffness up to load limit of 1800lb, then stiffness changes to 1800lb/in. The full sway brace resistance load is exerted in the cold condition = free thermal movement * spring + preload e.g. The pipe moves 1.215" under thermal case T1 at node A01 (with inclined support removed), the sway brace load would exert a total 1800 lb/in x 1.215" plus 1800 lb preload = 3987 lbs in the Gravity case. When the pipe fully expands in the thermal T1 case there is zero resisting load in the hot operating condition.

Sway Brace Stiffness

Stiffness (lb/in) 120000 100000 100000 80000 60000 40000 20000 0 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 Resisting Load (lb) 1800 1800 100000

Sample model: Sway_Brace_6.dat

Applied GR Displacement and GR & T1 Preloads

Inclined Support

Insert a inclined support at A01, with 1800 lb /in spring rate

Insert > xtra data > concentrated force. Add 2 forces, +ve preload = 1800 in GR and ve preload in T1 case i.e. gravity case force in same direction as thermal movment and force in T1 case in the opposite direction

Add a imposed displacement in the gravity case = the free thermal movement = 1.215

Results show expected full preload = 3982lb exerted on anchor A00 by the sway brace. In the operating case no load in seen in GT1 at both anchor A00 and A01 support