FLUOR DANIEL INC.

- PHILIPPINES

ISSUE NO. 99-01

July 26, 1999

What is Piping Stress Analysis?

Piping Stress analysis is the process of evaluating the structural integrity of a
given piping system within the guidelines established by applicable codes and
standards of the particular industry.
The objective of piping flexibility and stress analysis is to ensure safety against:
failure of the piping material or anchor structure from overstress
leakage at joints
overloads at connected equipment

Stress Computer Software

Fluor Daniels licensed piping
stress computer program is
COADEs CAESAR II. It is a
TOOL used by the stress
engineers in the analysis of
piping systems based on data
such as design conditions
(temperature, pressure), climatic
conditions
(solar,
wind,
earthquake), pipe sizes and
materials, commodity, supports
and
support
locations,
equipment
data,
allowable
stresses.
CAESAR II incorporates many of the limitations placed on piping systems and the
attached equipment. The limits are specified by engineering bodies such as
ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) codes, API standards
(American Petroleum Institute), NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers
Association, Inc.), etc.

Flexible and Stiff Piping

The figure below shows the examples of stiff and flexible piping. When piping is
subjected to change in temperature and if the pipe is not restrained from
expansion, no stresses are developed and the pipe just expands or contracts.
When the pipe is restrained, stresses and forces of considerable magnitude are
created.

PIPE SPAN CHART

(Practice 000.250.2041)

When using the pipe span

chart, allowance must be
made for deviations from
the conditions given on the
chart.
In special cases
(such as special pipe
materials
like
plastic
pipes), see stress engineer
for
allowable
span
information.
Approved
vendor catalogs may be
used if available.

that the general formula for

thermal expansion is

= eL
Where:
e=linear
thermal
expansion
which varies with material type
and
temperature
(Practice
000.250.9823, ASME codes)
L=original pipe length
=Greek
letter
Delta
representing change in
length
Sample calculation:
6-CS pipe @ T=350F
e=0.0226 in/ft, L=100 ft
= eL
= (0.0226)(100)
= 2.26 inches

Published by:
FDIP Piping Stress