Buried Pipeline Stress Analysis KEY Points

Published on October 17, 2018

Erhan YildizFollow
Co Founder at Key Oil And Gas
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The governing code for the pipe stress analysis is generally ASME B31.3[1] and 31.1[2].
However the approach in Pipeline Stress Analysis is somehow different than the
aforementioned codes respectively. In this article, the main aspects and the key points of the
pipeline stress analysis will be explained briefly.

ASME B31.4 [3][5] covers piping systems transporting liquids, such as crude oil, condensate,
natural gasoline, natural gas liquids, liquefied petroleum gas, liquid alcohol, liquid anhydrous
ammonia, and liquid petroleum products, between producers’ lease facilities, such as tank
farms, pump stations, natural gas processing plants, refineries, ammonia plants, terminals
(marine, rail, and truck), and other delivery and receiving point.

[6][7][8]A reasonable estimate of the movement and its interaction with the end resistance
force afforded by connecting piping and equipment are very important aspects in designing a
pipeline. The key points for stress analysis are as follows:

B 31.4 code addresses analysis of lines within temperature range starting from -20 degree
centigrade till 120 degree centigrade.

There are no Sh values similar to B 31.3. A pipeline normally runs for several kilometres
without any fittings attached. Because of such simplicity, the stress in the majority portion of
a pipeline is quite predictable. Taking advantage of this characteristic, the code’s allowable
stress for a pipeline is greatly increased, as compared to that for plant piping. All allowable
values are linked with Sy (Specified Minimum Yield Strength) as the allowable stress of a
pipeline is mainly to protect the pipe from gross deformation. Whenever you select B 31.4 in
Caesar II all Sh value fields become grey.
The following equations are used to calculate various stress allowable:

* Expansion Allowable=(0.72) (Sy)

* Sustained Allowable=(0.75) (0.72) (Sy)

* Occasional Allowable=(0.8) (Sy)

A reasonable estimate of the movement and its interaction with the end resistance force
afforded by connecting piping and equipment are very important aspects in designing a
pipeline. The salient points for stress analysis I feel are as follows:

B 31.4 code addresses analysis of lines within temperature range starting from -20 degree
centigrade till 120 degree centigrade.

There are no Sh values similar to B 31.3. A pipeline normally runs for several kilometres
without any fittings attached. Because of such simplicity, the stress in the majority portion of
a pipeline is quite predictable. Taking advantage of this characteristic, the code’s allowable
stress for a pipeline is greatly increased, as compared to that for plant piping. All allowable
values are linked with Sy (Specified Minimum Yield Strength) as the allowable stress of a
pipeline is mainly to protect the pipe from gross deformation. Whenever you select B 31.4 in
Caesar II all Sh value fields become grey.
The following equations are used to calculate various stress allowable:

 * Expansion Allowable=(0.72) (Sy)

* Sustained Allowable=(0.75) (0.72) (Sy)

* Occasional Allowable=(0.8) (Sy)

 * Operating Allowable=(0.9) (Sy)

Pressure elongation of pipe line is also important along with expansion elongation and need
to be taken care. Caesar II automatically does this whenever you select B 31.4 code.

There is nothing like liberal stress in B 31.4

The modelling procedure is similar. Whenever material is selected the Sy value automatically

filled from Caesar database. However you have to input the Design multiplication factor
(Fac) value additionally. Fac value indicates whether the pipe is restrained, such as long or
buried, or unrestrained. Fac should be 1.0, 0.0, or 0.001.

This value should be one for pipe under complete axial restraint. This value should be one
when the pipe is fully restrained, such as buried for a long distance.

The default value for Fac is 0.0.

When Fac is 0.001, this indicates to CAESAR II that the pipe is buried but that the soil
supports have been modelled. This causes the hoop stress component, rather than the
longitudinal stress, to be added to the operating stresses if the axial stress is compressive.

Some parts of the lines are buried or underground and some parts are aboveground. So you
need to understand the soil pipe interaction for buried parts. Soil properties need to be taken
from Civil/Geotechnical team while performing stress analysis of underground piping.

For underground piping there should be some minimum depth of cover as per B 31.4
depending on location of pipeline.

SOIL PROPERTIES
The soil parameters for the buried pipeline is vital for the sake of the stress analysis. The
stress engineer shall not follow an approach that leads to an over design in the stress analysis.

[4]There are two approaches commonly in the pipeline stress analysis. In this article the most
common on (Peng Method) will be explained briefly.

In the stress analysis program stress analysis shall enter the soil parameter as follows. The
soil parameters shall be taken from the Geotechnical Report.
This parameters shall be entered to the Stress Analysis Program under the Soil Modeller
section as follows.

After entering the values one shall run the input and analyze rest of the model as normal.

Where necessary in order to reduce the stress in pipeline bends, stress engineer shall put
anchor blocks to shift the displacements due to thermal elongation other than bends.

ANCHOR BLOCKS
Anchor blocks are the main supports for the pipeline stress analysis. The loads of the anchor
blocks are mainly due to the effect of thermal expansion.
Since the pipeline is buried up to 1-2 meters under the grade level. The size of the anchor
block is limited with respect to the load carrying capacity. In order to reduce the size of the
anchor block stress engineer may advice civil engineer to use shear key. This shear key will
help anchor block to use the passive pressure of the soil.

EARTHQUAKE ANALYSIS
If deemed necessary by specifications, client may require earthquake analysis of the pipeline.
In this situation stress engineer shall pay attention the philosophy of the underground
modeler. In Peng Method for the buried pipeline analysis the fluid density and the pipe
density is used in order to calculate the soil restraint stiffnesses. Afterwards these parameters
(pipe density & fluid density) are revised as 0.
If the stress engineer enters the value of seismic effects as gravitational acceleration , no
change in the loads will be seen. Since the calculation program has already revised this values
as 0 and include them in the value of soil representing restraints. Stress engineer shall enter
these seismic forces as F/ L in order to analyze the effects of the seismic loads.

THRUST FORCES
Thrust force is another important point for the buried pipelines stress analysis.

Stress engineer shall stick to the following point for the sake of the analysis.

* The pressure thrust is already accompanied by the code and evaluated under the stress
values of hoop stress and axial stress.There is no need to calculated manually the thrust forces
due to pressure and import to the stress analysis input.

* Thrust force due to the change in momentum (flow velocity ) may be calculated manually
and imported to the stress analysis input manually. These forces are very low and are not the
governing forces.

The thrust force can be calculated by the formula shown in the below figure.
For reference stress engineer can use the following link to prove their calculaion.

For the thrust forces on buried pipelines stress engineer shall also read and understand the
following article for reference. It explains the necessity of thrust restraints and explanation of
the basic approach. Thanks to David Kent for the simple and certain explanation in the
phenomena.[9]