PRESSURE UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION PPM-530

PIPING TECHNOLOGY METHODS AND STANDARDS APRIL 2000

Pipe Vibration Criteria for Cantilevered Branch Connections

1 Overview

1.1 Scope

These criteria establish allowable vibration levels for NPS 1/2, 3/4 or 1 cantilevered branch
connections which are subjected to vibration from pressure pulsation or other sources. These
include, but are not limited to, cantilevered instrument, analyzer or pressure gage branch
connections or any branch connection cantilevered from a reciprocating compressor or pump.

These criteria provide general field guidelines to identify connections which may fatigue from
excessive vibration. Connections which do not meet these criteria or may be beyond the scope
of this document should be referred to a vibration technologist in the Machinery Engineering
Technology Group at the South Charleston Technical Center.

It is intended for this criteria to be used in conjunction with [PPM-521], Design and Maintenance
Inspection of Piping Systems in Pressure Cycle Service

1.3 References

• TMS Pressure Piping Manual

[PPM-521] Design and Maintenance Inspection of Piping Systems in Pressure Cycle
Service

2 Field Criteria

The following field criteria are intended only as general field guidelines and vibration analysis
techniques for typical piping arrangements using most carbon and stainless steels. Connections
which do not meet these criteria or are beyond the scope of this document (e.g., materials, piping
configuration, etc.) should be referred to a vibration technologist in the Machinery Engineering
Technology Group.

2.1 Vibration Measurements

Vibration measurements to identify potential problem connections should be conducted with the
following guidelines. Article 2.1.1 is intended as an initial screening technique and involves
only simple overall velocity measurements. Article 2.1.2 and 2.1.3 involve more detailed
displacement and frequency measurements which provide data to analyze cyclic stresses in the
vibration piping connection. These field criteria comprise a general analysis and lead to more
detailed acceptance criteria.

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2.1.1 Vibration Velocity

Vibration velocity should be measured in two transverse planes of each cantilevered

branch connection (Points B0 and B1 of Figure 1). A maximum of 0.6 inches per second
(peak unfiltered amplitude) at any measurement location should be used as a quick
screening limit to identify potential problem connections. If this value is exceeded or the
vibration frequency is known to be 10 Hertz (Hz) or lower, then proceed to Article 2.1.2.

2.1.2 Vibration Displacement

Vibration displacement and predominant frequencies should be measured in tow

transverse planes of each cantilevered branch connection (Points B0 and B1 of Figure 1).
If the maximum vibration displacement in mils peak-to-peak (p-p) at any measurement
location exceeds 30 divided by the square root of the frequency, Hz, ( 30 Frequency)
further analysis as described in Article 2.1.3 should be conducted to determine the
acceptability of the connection.

2.1.3 Cyclic Stress

Cyclic stress should be analyzed for each cantilevered branch connection exceeding the
vibration displacement limit in Article 2.1.2. Allowable displacement in mils peak-to-
peak versus the distance between measurement location B and attached point A are
plotted in Figures 2, 3 and 4 for NPS 1/2, 3/4 and 1 connections, respectively. In these
plots, two cyclic stress limits are calculated for a simple cantilever with threaded or
fillet-welded construction.

2.1.3.1 A maximum cyclic stress range limit of 3,250 psi p-p should be used when
phase relationships between measurement location B and attachment point A
have not been accurately determined. Refer to Examples I and II for
application of this simplified criteria which allows for a factor of two
measurement error when no corrections made for phase shifts.

2.1.3.2 A maximum cyclic stress range limit of 6,500 psi p-p is acceptable if it is based
on the true peak-to-peak displacement which has been properly compensated
for phase shifts between measurement location B and attachment point A that
occur at resonance. Refer to Example III for application of this more detailed
criteria.

2.1.3.3 Since a design endurance limit of 26,000 psi p-p is adequate for most carbon
and stainless steel piping materials (allows for maximum effect of mean stress),
the 6,500 psi p-p maximum cyclic stress range limit provides a stress
concentration factor of 4, an appropriate factor for branch connections using
pipe threads or as-welded fillet welds.

2.1.3.4 For special circumstances, strain gage measurements may be required for
confirmation of calculated cyclic stresses.

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2.1.4 Recommended Vibration Measurement Instrumentation

For measurements described in Article 2.1.1, an accelerometer of weight < 100 grams
with a maximum frequency response of 2 Hz to 1 KHz and a compatible vibration meter
with integration to velocity is recommended.

For measurements described in Articles 2.1.2 and 2.1.3.1, the above instrumentation is
recommended plus double integration capability of the vibration meter for displacement
measurements along with narrow band filtering or spectrum analysis capability for
frequency measurements.

For measurements as described in Article 2.1.3.2, a two-channel spectrum analyzer is

recommended to accurately determine displacement which has been properly
compensated for phase shifts between measurement location B and attachment point A.

3 Piping Configurations

3.1 Repairs / Alterations

Any repairs or alterations to reduce vibration on a branch connection should be in strict

accordance with the applicable TMS Valve and Piping Specification (V&PS).

3.2 Branch Connections

Branch connections with pressure gages, instrument and analyzer transmitters of large mass
should be rigidly supported or braced. See [PPM-521] for suggested bracing arrangements.
Thermal stresses shall not exceed allowable limits.

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4 Examples

4.1 Example 1 (Displacement Measurement Without Phase Shift Correction - Point B0)

Background

Displacement measurements without phase shift correction at point B0 (See Figure 1) of a

cantilevered branch connection for a pressure gauge indicate that the maximum displacement is 3
mils (0.003 inches). The distance between the attachment point A0 and measurement point B0 is
10 inches, and the branch connection is 1/2 NPS.

Question

Is further analysis required to establish the adequacy of the connection?

Answer

No; with reference to Figure 2, it will be noted that for a 10 inches cantilever length (L0; distance
between points A0 and B0) the displacement at the measurement point B0 is acceptable for
amplitudes up to an including 5 mils p-p.

4.2 Example 2 (Displacement Measurement Without Phase Shift Correction - Point B1)

Background

Displacement measurements without phase shift correction at point B0 (See Figure 1) of a

cantilevered branch connection for a pressure gauge indicate that the maximum displacement is 3
mils (0.003 inches). The distance between the attachment point A0 and measurement point B0 is
10 inches, and the branch connection is 1/2 NPS.

Question

Is further analysis required to establish the adequacy of the connection?

Answer

Yes; with reference to Figure 2, it will be noted that for a 6 inches cantilever length (L1; distance
between points A1 and B1) the displacement at the measurement point B1 should not exceed 1.8
mils p-p. Further analysis to consider phase relationships of the displacement readings is
required to decide if modification of this connection is necessary.

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4.3 Example 3 (Displacement Measurement At Point B1 With Phase Shift Correction)

Background

Displacement measurements at point B1 with phase shift correction relative to attachment point
A1 (See Figure 1) of the cantilevered branch connection in Example II indicate that the maximum
displacement is actually 5 mils (0.005 inches). The distance between the attachment point A1
and measurement point B1 is 6 inches, and the branch connection is 1/2 NPS.

Question

Should this connection be modified to reduce vibration?

Answer

Yes; with reference to Figure 2, it will be noted that for a 6 inches cantilever length (distance
between points A1 and B1) the phase compensated displacement at the measurement point B1
should not exceed 3.6 mils p-p.

5 Figures

The figures on pages 6 thru 9 provide…

5.1 Figure 1 (Branch Connection Measurement Points)

5.2 Figure 2 (Maximum Displacement Chart for NPS 1/2 Pipe)

5.3 Figure 3 (Maximum Displacement Chart for NPS 3/4 Pipe)

5.4 Figure 4 (Maximum Displacement Chart for NPS 1 Pipe)

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Figure 1 - Branch Connection Measurement Points

(Refer to Examples 1, 2, and 3)

Notes:
(1) Nomenclature is defined within the text of Examples 1, 2, and 3.
(2) Measurement points B0 and B1 include measurements in-plane and out-of-plane.
(3) Measurement points B0 and B1 shall be as close as practical to attached mass at the end of each
connection.
(4) Connection length L0 or L1 (L equal to L0 or L1, depending on the leg under evaluation) is the
distance between measurement point B0 or B1 and attachment point A0 or A1, respectively.
(5) - Indicates an out-of-plane measurement point; - indicates an in-plane measurement point.

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Figure 2 - Maximum Displacement Chart for NPS 1/2 Pipe

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Figure 3 - Maximum Displacement Chart for NPS 3/4 Pipe

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Figure 4 - Maximum Displacement Chart for NPS 1 Pipe

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