Supporting and Design Consideration of Small-bore

Piping (PDF)
whatispiping.com/small-bore-piping/

Anup Kumar Dey January 2, 2022

Small-bore piping is defined as pipes that are 2 inches or less in size. In the piping
industry, pipes are categorized into two groups; small bore pipes and large bore pipes.
Any pipe having a size of more than 2 inches is termed a large bore pipe. Whereas piping
systems carrying pipes of two inches or less are considered small-bore piping systems.
Some organizations consider a 2″ pipe size as large-bore.

Small-bore Pipe Sizes

The usual pipe diameters that are frequently used in small bore pipe connections are

1/8″
1/4″
3/8″
1/2″
3/4″
1″
1-1/4″
1-1/2″ and
2″

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Most of the time these lines are instrument connections, drain connections, sampling
connections, or vent connections. Almost in all large bore piping systems, there will be
some small bore pipe connections. In general small-bore piping is considered non-critical
and usually does not require detailed pipe stress analysis. Small-bore pipe sizes usually
branch off from the large bore main pipes.

As very little attention is provided for the design and support of small bore pipe
connections in both the process and power piping industry, these pipes sometimes
become the cause of pipe vibration and failures impacting the reliability of the complete
piping system.

Small-bore piping supports

Small-bore pipes are generally site-supported. In general, they are supported by taking
supports from nearby large-bore lines. Clamp supports are the most frequently and widely
used small-bore piping supports. In absence of nearby parallel large-bore piping, simple
steel members are used for support. As small bore pipes do not impose large support
loads, the supports are not designed specifically. The following guidelines can be applied
for supporting small-bore piping systems:

Overhang and unsupported span for small-bore pipe connection need to be

minimised.
Support shall be provided near the mass and stress concentration points to reduce
the fatigue failure potential.
Supporting from main pipe is preferred such that the small-bore connection moves
along with the parent pipe during start-up, shutdown, thermal transients, etc.
Neoprene pad, PTFE pad, etc can be used to dampen vibration when supporting
vibration prone lines.
Large vertical runs should be avoided and guide need to be provided to reduce
vibration tendency.
The bracing connections if provided between the small bore pipe work and the
parent line should be in two planes. Also, the bracing shall never be taken from
local structures.
If the geometry of small bore piping is difficult to support, it must be re-routed to
provide supports easily.

Small-bore pipes connected to high-temperature large bore pipes

Small-bore pipe connections that are connected to high-temperature large-bore main
pipes must be stress analyzed. For example, small-bore drain piping from high-pressure
steam lines needs to be stress analyzed to provide proper flexibility that will be arising
from the high temperature of the main pipe. Enough flexibility needs to be provided so
that the branch connection interface does not fail due to excessive stress generation.

Vibration in Small-bore pipe connections

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Due to the geometry and mass it carries, small-bore piping connections are prone to
vibration. Even a vibration of a very low amplitude vibration on the main piping can lead to
excessive vibration in the small-bore branch connection and eventually may break due to
fatigue failure.

Design Considerations for Small-bore Pipe Connections

Considering the flexibility and vibration potential of small-bore pipe connections, their
sizes are sometimes limited during application as brack connection. The following
guidelines can be used in general:

Process team to review if unnecessary small-piping can be avoided in the plant.

As failure tendency for small bore piping increases with increase in cantilever arm
length, small bore piping must be routed to have as small arm as possible.
Larger piping is preferable for mechanical strength consideration instead of using
support bracing to small bore piping.
For direct mounted instrument connections, the minimum size of branch
connections to run pipes shall be 3/4″ from 3/4″ through 2″ run pipe, 1″ from NPS 3
through 12, and NPS 1-1/2 for run pipes greater than NPS 12.
The location of small bore tappings shall be decided as close to rigid supports on
main pipe as possible.
To reduce vibration tendency and increase mechanical strength of instrument
connections bracing can be provided to the run pipe.
Non-direct mounted instrument connections from small-bore piping need to be
minimised as possible.
Pipes with long branch connections is required to be braced.
Small bore pipe connections shall be avoided in piping directly connected to
compressors, nozzles, or pulsation bottles.
The small bore piping connected to the flare tip must be designed to withstand the
flare radiation temperature and flare tip thermal movement.
While providing stiffeners in small bore piping the differential expansion must be
checked. For example, while supporting small bore piping that are connected with
pipes or equipment with large thermal movement the differential thermal movement
and stress generated must be evaluated.
Sufficient rigidity must be provided for small bore piping systems which are prone to
vibration.
It is preferable to avoid socket welded fittings for small bore connections as those
weld points create a wek link.
After installation of the plant a site review must be planned to check all small bore
pipe connections to find any problems with supporting.

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