PIPE STRESS ANALYSIS

APPLICATIONS

  • New Designs

  • Modifications to Existing Systems

  • Existing Systems with Maintenance Problems

  • Analyzing Piping Failures

  • Excessive Pipe Sag

  • Broken Supports or Restraints

  • Bottomed or Topped Out Spring Supports

  • Rotating Equipment Vibrations

  • Shaking or Vibrating Piping

  • Damaged Foundations of Connected Equipment and Vessels

  • Flange Misalignment

  • Leaking Flanges

  • Squirming or Leaking Expansion Joints

INDICATIONS OF PIPING PROBLEMS

Accuracy and a high level of detail are needed to accurately predict piping stresses and piping loads on connected equipment. Our experience collecting data, field checking piping drawings against as-built systems, knowing what data is needed, and using detailed modeling techniques allows us to quickly and accurately model piping systems.

STRESS ANALYSIS DETAILS

PEC excels in solving piping problems. Our experience allows us to quickly recognize problems and develop solutions that are practical and economical. Quite often piping problems are identified during our field visits collecting data. When this occurs, we sketch details needed for recommendations during our preliminary visits which allows us to provide quick solutions.

PROBLEM SOLVING

PEC will teach plant engineers how to perform pipe stress analysis and how to properly apply ASME B31.1 and ASME B31.3 piping codes. If you have a piping problem or need a new line designed and analyzed and would like to learn piping stress analysis, we do the following:

  • Visit your plant or facility, bringing a laptop computer, stress analysis software, and engineering books.

  • Together, our engineer and your plant engineer will collect the information needed for analysis (drawings, specifications, and data) to build the piping model with the stress analysis software.

  • We then analyze the piping system and develop recommendations so that piping stresses and piping loads on connected equipment are below their respective allowables.

TEACHING PIPE STRESS ANALYSIS

In the end, the plant has its system modeled and analyzed (Goal #1), the plant engineer knows and understands this piping system very well (Goal #2), and the plant engineer has began developing a knowledge of how to design a piping system per the ASME B31 piping codes (Goal #3). After approximately three of these jobs, the plant engineer can analyze his/her own piping systems. If needed, we are available to check their input, calculations, results, recommendations, etc. The cost for this analysis is about the same as an ordinary engineering job. It usually takes a few hours longer to model the piping system and make recommendations because it requires explanations and instructions. However, it takes less time to collect the analysis data because the plant engineer can usually locate drawings and specifications quicker than our engineers whom are not as familiar with your drawing/file rooms.