Process Industry Practices Piping: PIP PNC00004 Piping Stress Analysis Criteria For ASME B31.3 Metallic Piping
Process Industry Practices Piping: PIP PNC00004 Piping Stress Analysis Criteria For ASME B31.3 Metallic Piping
Process Industry Practices Piping: PIP PNC00004 Piping Stress Analysis Criteria For ASME B31.3 Metallic Piping
April 2012
PIP PNC00004
Piping Stress Analysis Criteria
for ASME B31.3 Metallic Piping
PURPOSE AND USE OF PROCESS INDUSTRY PRACTICES
In an effort to minimize the cost of process industry facilities, this Practice has
been prepared from the technical requirements in the existing standards of major industrial
users, contractors, or standards organizations. By harmonizing these technical requirements
into a single set of Practices, administrative, application, and engineering costs to both the
purchaser and the manufacturer should be reduced. While this Practice is expected to
incorporate the majority of requirements of most users, individual applications may
involve requirements that will be appended to and take precedence over this Practice.
Determinations concerning fitness for purpose and particular matters or application of the
Practice to particular project or engineering situations should not be made solely on
information contained in these materials. The use of trade names from time to time should
not be viewed as an expression of preference but rather recognized as normal usage in the
trade. Other brands having the same specifications are equally correct and may be
substituted for those named. All Practices or guidelines are intended to be consistent with
applicable laws and regulations including OSHA requirements. To the extent these
Practices or guidelines should conflict with OSHA or other applicable laws or regulations,
such laws or regulations must be followed. Consult an appropriate professional before
applying or acting on any material contained in or suggested by the Practice.
© Process Industry Practices (PIP), Construction Industry Institute, The University of Texas
at Austin, 3925 West Braker Lane (R4500), Austin, Texas 78759. PIP Member Companies
and Subscribers may copy this Practice for their internal use. Changes or modifications of any
kind are not permitted within any PIP Practice without the express written authorization of
PIP. Authorized Users may attach addenda or overlays to clearly indicate modifications or
exceptions to specific sections of PIP Practices. Authorized Users may provide their clients,
suppliers and contractors with copies of the Practice solely for Authorized Users’ purposes.
These purposes include but are not limited to the procurement process (e.g., as attachments to
requests for quotation/ purchase orders or requests for proposals/contracts) and preparation
and issue of design engineering deliverables for use on a specific project by Authorized
User’s client. PIP’s copyright notices must be clearly indicated and unequivocally
incorporated in documents where an Authorized User desires to provide any third party with
copies of the Practice.
PRINTING HISTORY
June 2000 Issued
____ 2012 Complete Revision
PIP PNC00004
Piping Stress Analysis Criteria
for ASME B31.3 Metallic Piping
Table of Contents
1. Introduction .................................2
1.1 Purpose ..............................................2
1.2 Scope .................................................2
2. References ..................................2
2.1 Process Industry Practices .................2
2.2 Industry Codes and Standards ...........2
3. Requirements ..............................3
3.1 General...............................................3
3.2 Analysis Parameters ..........................3
3.3 External Load Limits on Equipment ...6
3.4 Analysis Applications ..........................7
3.5 Documentation ...................................7
1. Introduction
1.1 Purpose
This Practice provides minimum requirements for analyzing the flexibility of
aboveground metallic piping systems.
1.2 Scope
This Practice describes the piping flexibility analysis parameters and applications, and
documentation requirements.
2. References
Applicable parts of the following Practices and industry codes and standards shall be considered
an integral part of this Practice. The edition in effect on the date of contract award shall be used,
except as otherwise noted. Short titles will be used herein where appropriate.
3. Requirements
3.1 General
3.1.1 All piping systems shall be evaluated and, if appropriate, analyzed for applicable
conditions in accordance with ASME B31.3 and this Practice. The designer shall
be qualified in accordance with the B31.3 Code para. 301.1.
3.1.2 The most severe, anticipated, coincident pressure and temperature conditions
shall be considered to evaluate the flexibility and sustained load analyses for
each anticipated operating condition. Design conditions (pressure and
temperature) shall be set in accordance with ASME B31.3 paras. 301.2 and 301.3
with consideration to approved variations above same as set forth in ASME
B31.3 para. 302.2.4. The sole uses for design conditions shall be in accordance
with ASME B31.3 Appendix S, Example 1.
3.1.3 The flexibility analysis can require the combination of more than one load case
to determine the total displacement stress range.
3.1.4 Any computerized pipe flexibility calculations shall be performed using owner-
approved software.
3.1.5 Piping systems shall be analyzed for expansion, contraction, differential
settlement, relief valve reactions, and effects due to weight, wind, seismic, and
other mechanical loading in accordance with ASME B31.3.
3.1.6 Expansion joints shall not be permitted unless approved by owner.
3.2.8 Flanges
3.2.8.1 External bending moments on flanges shall be considered.
3.2.8.2 External loads may be analyzed by the equivalent pressure method or
other methods approved by owner.
3.2.8.3 Acceptance criteria shall be in accordance with owner’s requirements.
3.2.9 Maximum Pipe Spans and Deflections
3.2.9.1 For determining pipe spans, maximum sag deflections shall be limited
to 16 mm (5/8 in).
3.2.9.2 Any deviations to Section 3.2.9.1 shall be approved by owner.
3.2.10 Refractory
3.2.10.1 The increased stiffness of a piping systems caused by a refractory
lining shall be considered when determining reaction loads.
3.2.10.2 To protect a piping system against collapse due to creep, the increased
stiffness due to a refractory lining shall not be included in the span
calculations, any sustained load analysis, and flexibility analysis.
3.2.11 Piping Fittings
3.2.11.1 Reduced flexibility shall be considered where attachments exist on
welded ells or within two pipe diameters of the welds of an ell.
1. In the absence of better information, decreased flexibility may be
simulated (in a computer analysis) by placing a flange pair at the
nearest weld.
2. Although not addressed directly by ASME B31.3, Appendix D,
45-degree ells shall have their flexibility reduced by placing a
flange pair at each end.
3.2.11.2 In the absence of applicable data or rigorous analysis, branches at
angles other than 90 degrees may be modeled by doubling the default
stress intensification factor for unreinforced fabricated tees.
Comment: Branches at angles other than 90 degrees are not
addressed by ASME B31.3, Appendix D. For
flexibility purposes, testing has shown that these
branches act like unreinforced connections.
3.2.11.3 The stress intensification factor for tees with aspect ratios of 3:4 shall
be increased by 25%.
Comment: The ASME B31.3 Appendix D Stress
Intensification Factors for tees with this aspect
ratio have been found to be non-conservative.
3.2.12 Other Parameters
3.2.12.1 Large diameter thin wall (D/T 100) lines shall be analyzed for
crushing loads at local stress points and reinforced as necessary.
3.5 Documentation
3.5.1 Calculation numbers shall be assigned to identify each analysis and the
flexibility analysis files shall be stored.
3.5.2 Upon project completion, all stress calculations and documentation shall be
provided in accordance with the owner’s requirements.
Figure 1. Guide for Analysis of Carbon Steel or Low and Intermediate Alloy Steel
Notes:
1. Visual Analysis: Piping in this category may be analyzed by the use of engineering experience or
approximate methods.
2. Formal Analysis: Piping in this category requires formal analysis. Analysis may be performed by
approximate, comprehensive, or computer methods. Documentation is required.
3. Comprehensive Analysis: Piping in this category requires a comprehensive analysis (typically by computer).
Other methods may be used with owner’s approval. Documentation is required.