Constant Spring Support/Hanger

Constant spring supports are increasingly popular alternatives to variable spring supports. They are modeled as rigid rod hangers with rotating blocks and applied loads P (Fig. 1). Supporting force P remains constant during vertical displacement. This theoretical configuration is impractical due to excessive size requirements.

Modern constant spring supports use spring-lever mechanisms (Fig. 2), where pre-load adjustments maintain nearly constant supporting force within specified vertical travel ranges (Fig. 3).

This support type does not require external restraints. Supporting force is applied at the support node through three components in global coordinates Fx, Fy, Fz. See "Custom Restraints"

Properties

Property	Description
Name	Element identifier. When checked, displays in 3D view.
Weight	Weight of the support component attached to the pipe. This weight is applied at the attachment node. When building structure load capacity is specified, the calculated load includes both piping weight and support weight. When support load capacity is specified, either omit support weight or increase allowable load by the support weight value.
Series	KHD - horizontal constant force brace with double lugs for upper structure attachment KHS - horizontal constant force brace with double lugs for lower structure mounting KVD - vertical constant force hanger with double lugs for upper structure attachment KVS - vertical constant force hanger with double lugs for lower structure mounting KSP - constant spring support with supporting stand KSR - roller constant spring support
Rod number	Number of parallel hanger rods (1 or 2)
Support number	Number of parallel supports (1 or 2)
Rod length	Rod length used for pendulum effect calculations
Test state mode	Accounts for temporary spring locking during system testing
Friction factor	Friction factor
Force along the X axis	Support force component along global X axis. Automatic rod selection not available
Force along the Y axis	Support force component along global Y axis. Automatic rod selection not available
Force along the Z axis	Support force component along the global Z axis. Automatic constant spring selection occurs when set to 0.

Menu and Toolbar Access

To insert this element, select the target node and use: Insert > Insert Restraint > Constant Spring Support / Insert > Insert Restraint > Constant Spring Hanger