Read about START-PROF pipe stress analysis software
Tall pipe risers are used in skyscrapers, mines, etc. There are two points that the piping stress engineer should consider:
The most of widely used piping stress analysis software, including START-PROF, apply fluid weight as uniform load along the pipe. This approach is correct for horizontal piping and short vertical pipes. But it is incorrect for tall risers and may lead to incorrect support loads and incorrect stress distribution along the vertical pipe length.
The picture below (a) shows axial force F diagram caused by uniform load q at the vertical pipe that is supported at the bottom. If fluid weight is applied as uniform load q, the axial force diagram is incorrect. Software will show great axial stresses from sustained loads q*L/A, A – pipe crossection area. But in real world fluid pressure will act only on the bottom of the pipe and axial stresses along the pipe should be zero. The correct results can be obtained by applying of concentrated force at the bottom of the pipe instead of uniform load.
Vertical Pipe Supported at the Bottom
In case of pipe supporting at the top, uniform load gives incorrect results too. Application of fluid weight as uniform load leads to underestimation of axial stresses at the lower part of the pipe.
Vertical Pipe Supported at the Top
In case of supporting riser by several springs, the application of fluid weight as uniform load will lead to uniform load distribution between supports. But in real world fluid weight will act in the bottom bend and lowest support will hold greatest weight load.
Vertical Pipe Supported by Several Springs
Now let’s see how to model vertical riser correctly in PASS/START-PROF piping stress analysis software:
It is important to use the specify the correct pressure including hydrostatic fluid pressure value for tall raisers. You need to split the vertical pipeline into several parts and set the pressure for each part equal to P+γ·h, where P - internal pressure for the top pip, γ - fluid density, h - depth from the top point to the middle or the lowest point of the pipe segment.
The second problem concerns vertical risers that is supported at the bottom. Pipe is compressed by big pipe and insulation weight. Compression force may lead to pipe buckling as shown on the drawing (a) below.
To avoid buckling we should add additional V-stop supports (d) to decrease the compressive force or add guides (c) to prevent buckling.
The START-Elements has a special procedure allows to check buckling of vertical or horizontal pipe. For vertical pipe we should set sliding support friction factor to zero and enter the compressive load N value. Software will calculate the span between guides Lcr needed to prevent buckling.
