Common Piping Vibration Areas

(Source: Engineering Dynamics Inc.)

Pipe Vibrations
Copyright ©, 2005,
William G. Beazley, PhD
All Rights Reserved
Other Copyrights Apply as Noted
• Long Pipe Spans
• Piping Appurtenances (vents, drains, gages, etc.)
• Large Masses (e.g., Valves and Components)
• Reciprocating Compressor Cylinders and
Manifold Bottles

http://www.engdyn.com/pulsation/pipingfld.htm

Sources of Vibration
Common Causes of Vibration (Source: Engineering Dynamics Inc.)
(Source: Engineering Dynamics Inc.)
• Excessive Pulsation
• Mechanical Natural
Frequencies
• Inadequate Supports
and/or Support
Structure

http://www.engdyn.com/pulsation/pipingfld.htm
Image: PulseGuard Pulsation Dampeners www.pulseguard.com
http://www.engdyn.com/pulsation/pipingfld.htm

Sources of Vibration (cont’d) Pulsation from Reciprocating Compressor

(Source: Engineering Dynamics Inc.) (source: SW Research Institute

http://www.engdyn.com/pulsation/pipingfld.htm
http://www.swri.edu/3pubs/brochure/d04/pipe/pipe.htm

1
 Vibration Dampeners on Pulsation Dampeners
Reciprocating Pump (Source: PulseGuard)
(Source: PulseGuard Pulsation Dampeners)

http://www.pulseguard.com/pulsation-dampeners-bladder/pressure- pulse-dampers/flexorbers/low- pressure- flexorbers/pump_install.htm

http://www.pulseguard.com/

Fatigue Fracture of a Compressor Bolt Fatigue Failure

Connecting Rod (Source: The Hendrix Group, Inc. )
(Source: The Hendrix Group, Inc. ) Fracture surface of a Grade 8 bolt showing
multiple rotating-bending fatigue origin features
The fatigue crack initiated at the left

Thermal Cycling due to Mixing of Injected

Steam in Water Flexural Vibration of Slender
(Source: Corrosion Testing Laboratories, Inc.)
• The steam entering the pipe was at approximately 300oF. The temperature
differential between the steam and the process gases combined with a turbulent
Beams
flow and/or variations in steam flow would cause the pipe to be either locally
cooled by the steam or heated by the process gasses. This continuous heating
and cooling is what induced the fatigue and eventually the cracks
• ASSUMPTIONS
– Beam is thin compared to its length.
– Beam is uniform, homogeneous and isotropic.
– Material is within the elastic limit, and obeys
Hooke's Law (stress is directly proportional to
strain)
– Plane sections remain plane.
Cracks on the pipe ID Fracture surface with "Beach Marks“ from
interrupted crack propagation
http://www.corrosionlab.com/Failure- Analysis- Studies/11871.thermal-fatigue.overhead -line.htm

2
 Beam Equation Step 1 Beam Equation Step 2
Resolve forces vertically (f = ma)

where:
= Mass density
A x= Cross Sectional Area at x
M Bending moment
V Internal shear force Net difference in shear is balanced by accelerating force

I Second moment of area

x Distance along the beam
Source: Dr. Colin P. Ratcliffe Mechanical Engineering Department at the U.S. Naval Academy Source: Dr. Colin P. Ratcliffe Mechanical Engineering Department at the U.S. Naval Academy
http://cadigweb.ew.usna.edu/~ratcliff/EM423/main.htm
http://cadigweb.ew.usna.edu/~ratcliff/EM423/main.htm

Beam Equation Step 3 Beam Equation Step 4

For the element, take moments about the right and left
Bending moment equation from Strength of Materials is:
faces

where:
M Bending moment
E Young’s Modulus
I Second moment of area
x Distance along the beam
y Distance from beam neutral axis
Source: Dr. Colin P. Ratcliffe Mechanical Engineering Department at the U.S. Naval Academy Source: Dr. Colin P. Ratcliffe Mechanical Engineering Department at the U.S. Naval Academy
http://cadigweb.ew.usna.edu/~ratcliff/EM423/main.htm http://cadigweb.ew.usna.edu/~ratcliff/EM423/main.htm

Beam Equation Step 5 Solution Step 1

Combining these equations yields : Assume Harmonic Motion

where: Yields a solution for natural frequencies for mode n

M Bending moment
E Young’s Modulus
I Second moment of area
x Distance along the beam
y Distance from beam neutral axis
Source: Dr. Colin P. Ratcliffe Mechanical Engineering Department at the U.S. Naval Academy Source: Dr. Colin P. Ratcliffe Mechanical Engineering Department at the U.S. Naval Academy
http://cadigweb.ew.usna.edu/~ratcliff/EM423/main.htm http://cadigweb.ew.usna.edu/~ratcliff/EM423/main.htm

3
 Solution Step 2
And (kn L)2 values can be tabulated:
Lowest
Mechanical
Natural Frequency
of Gas-Filled
Uniform Steel Pipe
Spans
(Source: Bausbacher and
Hunt)

Source: Dr. Colin P. Ratcliffe Mechanical Engineering Department at the U.S. Naval Academy
http://cadigweb.ew.usna.edu/~ratcliff/EM423/main.htm

Allowable Amplitude of Alternating Stress Intensity,

Allowable Pipe
Sa, for Carbon and Alloy Steels With Metal
Vibration
Temperatures Not Exceeding 700°F
Levels
(Source: ANSI B31.7 in J. C. Wachel) (Source: SWRI
in J. C.
Wachel)

J. C. Wachel, “PIPING VIBRATION AND STRESS J. C.Wachel , “PIPING VIBRATION AND STRESS
Engineering Dynamics Incorporated, San Antonio, Texas Engineering Dynamics Incorporated, San Antonio, Texas

Allowable Pipe Mode Shapes of

Vibration Levels
with Recommended
Selected Beams
Velocity Criterion (Source: J. C.
(Source: J. C.
Wachel ) Wachel)

J. C. Wachel, “PIPING VIBRATION AND STRESS J. C.Wachel , “PIPING VIBRATION AND STRESS
Engineering Dynamics Incorporated, San Antonio, Texas Engineering Dynamics Incorporated, San Antonio, Texas

4
 Vibration & Stress Measurement from
Rotating Machinery
(source: SW Research Institute

http://www.swri.edu/3pubs/brochure/d04/pipe/pipe.htm J. C. Wachel , “DISPLACEMENT METHOD FOR DETERMINING ACCEPTABLE PIPING VIBRATION AMPLITUDES”
PVP -VoL. 313- 2, International Pressure Vessels and Piping Codes and Standards: Volume 2 — Current Perspectives, ASME 1995

Dynamic Response to Seismic Events Illustration of a Seismic Time History Acceleration

(Source: American Lifelines Alliance)

• Earthquakes are dynamic excursions

• Structures react according to their frequency
response
• Lower Frequencies, Larger Amplitudes

American Lifelines Alliance, Seismic Design and Retrofit of Pipi ng Systems, July 2002

In-Structure Seismic Response Spectra Unanchored Tanks Slide and Twist on Saddles
(Source: American Lifelines Alliance) (Source: American Lifelines Alliance)

American Lifelines Alliance, Seismic Design and Retrofit of Piping Systems, July 2002 American Lifelines Alliance, Seismic Design and Retrofit of Pipi ng Systems, July 2002

5
 Unanchored Flat Bottom tank Slides and Rocks Grooved Coupling Leak from Excessive Bending
(Source: American Lifelines Alliance) (Source: American Lifelines Alliance)

American Lifelines Alliance, Seismic Design and Retrofit of Piping Systems, July 2002 American Lifelines Alliance, Seismic Design and Retrofit of Pipi ng Systems, July 2002

Pipeline Lifts Of Shallow Saddles Sprinkler Pipe Sways and Impacts Suspended Ceiling
(Source: American Lifelines Alliance) (Source: American Lifelines Alliance)

American Lifelines Alliance, Seismic Design and Retrofit of Piping Systems, July 2002 American Lifelines Alliance, Seismic Design and Retrofit of Pipi ng Systems, July 2002

HVAC Heater Sways and Ruptures Brazed Copper

Suspended Header and Stif Branch
(Source: American Lifelines Alliance)
Tube
(Source: American Lifelines Alliance)

American Lifelines Alliance, Seismic Design and Retrofit of Piping Systems, July 2002 American Lifelines Alliance, Seismic Design and Retrofit of Pipi ng Systems, July 2002

6
 Undersize Weld May Shear
(Source: American Lifelines Alliance)
C-Clamp Relies on Friction,
May Slide
(Source: American Lifelines Alliance)

American Lifelines Alliance, Seismic Design and Retrofit of Piping Systems, July 2002 American Lifelines Alliance, Seismic Design and Retrofit of Pipi ng Systems, July 2002

Undersize Angle Weld, May Shear Unanchored Spring Support Slides From Under Pipe
(Source: American Lifelines Alliance) (Source: American Lifelines Alliance)

American Lifelines Alliance, Seismic Design and Retrofit of Piping Systems, July 2002 American Lifelines Alliance, Seismic Design and Retrofit of Pipi ng Systems, July 2002

Retrofit: Wall Mounted Strut with Pipe Clamp Retrofit: U-Bolt Arrangement
(Source: American Lifelines Alliance) (Source: American Lifelines Alliance)

American Lifelines Alliance, Seismic Design and Retrofit of Piping Systems, July 2002 American Lifelines Alliance, Seismic Design and Retrofit of Pipi ng Systems, July 2002

7
 Retrofit: Rigid Frame as a Lateral Seismic Support Retrofit: Steel Pipe Anchor
(Source: American Lifelines Alliance) (Source: American Lifelines Alliance)

American Lifelines Alliance, Seismic Design and Retrofit of Piping Systems, July 2002 American Lifelines Alliance, Seismic Design and Retrofit of Pipi ng Systems, July 2002

Retrofit: Shell Anchor (top right), Non-Shell Anchor

Retrofit: Shell Anchor (top left), Cast-in-Place (bottom)
(Source: American Lifelines Alliance)
(top right), Non-Shell
Anchor (top left), Cast-
in-Place (bottom)
(Source: American Lifelines
Alliance)

American Lifelines Alliance, Seismic Design and Retrofit of Piping Systems, July 2002 American Lifelines Alliance, Seismic Design and Retrofit of Pipi ng Systems, July 2002

Beam Equation Step 4

For a two dimensional curve, the curvature (=1/r) is:

If the deflection is not great and slope is gradual then

dy/dx is small and can be neglected, giving

d2y
 2
dx

Source: Dr. Colin P. Ratcliffe Mechanical Engineering Department at the U.S. Naval Academy
http://cadigweb.ew.usna.edu/~ratcliff/EM423/main.htm