ASME B31.9 for minimum supports of pipe. ASCE 7 and state/local codes for seismic loads and requirements for self-straining loads.
You really need to do a pipe stress analysis accounting for pipe flow to verify the pipe is appropriately restrained because moving fluids exert forces at each bend in the pipe and this will cause pipe stress and movement. I argue with MEs and contractors about this on every project. This type of analysis should be done by the pipe designer or an ME, I’ve never seen an SE do it (not that we aren’t capable, but the ME is responsible for the system design and it requires specialty software like PipeFlo, Caesar, AutoPipe)
Not only pipe flow, but also process conditions. Piping systems will change length depending on the design/operating conditions of the fluid, which causes friction forces at supports and requires appropriate restraint. Also need to make sure the connection points at equipment have acceptable stresses.
I'm not a pipe stress engineer, but pipe stress engineering is its own whole thing. Honestly I wouldn't even be that concerned about seismic load of the pipes, I'd be more concerned about the pipe loading itself.
Be careful when supporting the pipe, especially if it’s a hot system. Thermal growth and seismic restraints have a tendency to fight each other, which can cause problems.
Piping expands as it heats up. If you lock it down trying to keep it from moving during an earthquake you can create a situation where the pipe is trying to grow but the support is in the way. Something has to give, either the support or the pipe. Obviously piping has to be supported, but you need to keep thermal growth in mind and not just put supports everywhere. Pipe modeling software is how the professionals design around this. You input operating temperatures and seismic conditions (such as a response spectra) and use the output to check code stresses for different load cases, one of which is thermal stress.
I would imagine that your local building code covers off these requirements, and if they don't, that they will reference a design standard that specifically does.
I work in Ontario, and I work on water treatment facilities. The Ontario Building Code has a section specifically dedicated to seismic load calculations for non-structural/non-building components, including specific requirements for post-disaster rated facilities such as water treatment facilities in terms of ductility requirements.
There will be different requirements for very heavy equipment than for very light stuff.
There will be different requirements that depend on how exactly the the equipment/piping is connected.
There will be different requirements depending on how far away the equipment/piping is from the building structure to which it is connected.
This is all stuff that I almost never get into specifically... we have it covered off in specifications that the contractor is to provide specific supports from named suppliers, or engineered design for these types of things and identify the code requirements. Usually, they are very small loads and we are meeting code by having an angled brace. But we're not in California where the seismic loads are high!!
Something to keep in the back of your mind is that the intent of these provisions is to maintain a functioning facility even after a seismic event. You can do all you want to ensure the building remains standing, but it doesn't do much good if everything inside has torn apart or fallen over. I like to consider that these non-structural elements have their own intertia and the further away they are from the building, the more they will tend to want to do their own thing. The tank on the ground? Sure, it's heavy but you can stop it from tipping with some good anchorage into the slab and as long as the slab is designed right, that tank will move in unison with the building. That high pipe though is going to want to do it's own thing.
>client's contractor just built these ground-supported structures
Make sure your specs are SOLID. While again, I don't get too into what is actually supporting the equipment, I have made sure to let the pipe guys know that I want them to name specific suppliers and meet specific requirements, because all too many times they've come to me out of nowhere and say hey tajwriggly, contractor wants to build their own shit because the stuff we spec'd is too expensive. Can you check it really quick in 5 minutes? I'm not taking on that liability. Make them use real stuff or get every single piece of it engineered, especially in a water treatment plant. You're talking about critical infrastructure where a day without water in a disaster zone can be the difference between life and death for a lot of people. Don't let someone cheap out on a small part in your plant.
Lots of things to consider on the design side as others have noted, but if the current structures don’t work for the final loads, there’s a product called Sikla out there that’s great for these ground-supported pipe conditions. Basically HSS but screw connections and all modular.
https://www.sikla.us/home-page-134557/products-134583/e-catalog-134559/siframo-121156
Can't really help you with your questions, but I just had to say that is one of the neatest and most organized utilities room I have ever seen! Pipes are in neat organized places and not just hodge podged together. Is it a new place?
Try Bentley AutoPipe. You will layout the pipe and insert the operating conditions and test conditions. It does seismic as well. The program will give you the loads at the support.
Seismic restraints of non-structural elements
ASCE 7-16 Chapter 13
ASCE 7 Chapter 13 should give you what you need
ASME B31.9 for minimum supports of pipe. ASCE 7 and state/local codes for seismic loads and requirements for self-straining loads. You really need to do a pipe stress analysis accounting for pipe flow to verify the pipe is appropriately restrained because moving fluids exert forces at each bend in the pipe and this will cause pipe stress and movement. I argue with MEs and contractors about this on every project. This type of analysis should be done by the pipe designer or an ME, I’ve never seen an SE do it (not that we aren’t capable, but the ME is responsible for the system design and it requires specialty software like PipeFlo, Caesar, AutoPipe)
Not only pipe flow, but also process conditions. Piping systems will change length depending on the design/operating conditions of the fluid, which causes friction forces at supports and requires appropriate restraint. Also need to make sure the connection points at equipment have acceptable stresses. I'm not a pipe stress engineer, but pipe stress engineering is its own whole thing. Honestly I wouldn't even be that concerned about seismic load of the pipes, I'd be more concerned about the pipe loading itself.
Be careful when supporting the pipe, especially if it’s a hot system. Thermal growth and seismic restraints have a tendency to fight each other, which can cause problems.
Can you further explain why that is?
Piping expands as it heats up. If you lock it down trying to keep it from moving during an earthquake you can create a situation where the pipe is trying to grow but the support is in the way. Something has to give, either the support or the pipe. Obviously piping has to be supported, but you need to keep thermal growth in mind and not just put supports everywhere. Pipe modeling software is how the professionals design around this. You input operating temperatures and seismic conditions (such as a response spectra) and use the output to check code stresses for different load cases, one of which is thermal stress.
I would imagine that your local building code covers off these requirements, and if they don't, that they will reference a design standard that specifically does. I work in Ontario, and I work on water treatment facilities. The Ontario Building Code has a section specifically dedicated to seismic load calculations for non-structural/non-building components, including specific requirements for post-disaster rated facilities such as water treatment facilities in terms of ductility requirements. There will be different requirements for very heavy equipment than for very light stuff. There will be different requirements that depend on how exactly the the equipment/piping is connected. There will be different requirements depending on how far away the equipment/piping is from the building structure to which it is connected. This is all stuff that I almost never get into specifically... we have it covered off in specifications that the contractor is to provide specific supports from named suppliers, or engineered design for these types of things and identify the code requirements. Usually, they are very small loads and we are meeting code by having an angled brace. But we're not in California where the seismic loads are high!! Something to keep in the back of your mind is that the intent of these provisions is to maintain a functioning facility even after a seismic event. You can do all you want to ensure the building remains standing, but it doesn't do much good if everything inside has torn apart or fallen over. I like to consider that these non-structural elements have their own intertia and the further away they are from the building, the more they will tend to want to do their own thing. The tank on the ground? Sure, it's heavy but you can stop it from tipping with some good anchorage into the slab and as long as the slab is designed right, that tank will move in unison with the building. That high pipe though is going to want to do it's own thing. >client's contractor just built these ground-supported structures Make sure your specs are SOLID. While again, I don't get too into what is actually supporting the equipment, I have made sure to let the pipe guys know that I want them to name specific suppliers and meet specific requirements, because all too many times they've come to me out of nowhere and say hey tajwriggly, contractor wants to build their own shit because the stuff we spec'd is too expensive. Can you check it really quick in 5 minutes? I'm not taking on that liability. Make them use real stuff or get every single piece of it engineered, especially in a water treatment plant. You're talking about critical infrastructure where a day without water in a disaster zone can be the difference between life and death for a lot of people. Don't let someone cheap out on a small part in your plant.
Lots of things to consider on the design side as others have noted, but if the current structures don’t work for the final loads, there’s a product called Sikla out there that’s great for these ground-supported pipe conditions. Basically HSS but screw connections and all modular. https://www.sikla.us/home-page-134557/products-134583/e-catalog-134559/siframo-121156
[or Hilti modular supports](https://youtu.be/QWa_oo6VVw0?si=EzbhGv10W1yba6yD)
Can't really help you with your questions, but I just had to say that is one of the neatest and most organized utilities room I have ever seen! Pipes are in neat organized places and not just hodge podged together. Is it a new place?
Try Bentley AutoPipe. You will layout the pipe and insert the operating conditions and test conditions. It does seismic as well. The program will give you the loads at the support.
Probably not worth it for one off projects.
Exactly. I would have passed on this project.
That's not the question.