ISSUE NO.

99-01 July 26, 1999

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 PIPE SPAN CHART
created.
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
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