A pipe support is a designed element that transfer the load from a pipe to the supporting structures. The load includes the weight of the pipe, the content that the pipe carries, all the pipe fittings attached to pipe, and the pipe covering such as insulation. The four main functions of a pipe support are to anchor, guide, absorb shock, and support a specified load. Pipe supports used in high or low temperature applications may also contain insulation materials. The overall design configuration of a pipe support assembly is dependent on the loading / operating conditions and pipe support location.

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Type of Loads

Primary Loads

Primary loads are typically steady or sustained types of loads such as gravitational forces acting on the pipe such as weight of pipe and fluid, internal fluid pressure, external pressure on pipe, forces due to relief or blow down, pressure waves generated due to water/steam hammer effects, wind and seismic loads.

Sustained Loads

• Dead Weight

  It is the self weight of pipe including contained fluid, weight of pipe fittings & other inline components (say flanges, valves, insulation etc.). This type of load act throughout the life cycle of pipe. These loads cause bending, and the bending moment is related to normal and shear stresses. In horizontal pipes, this load is taken care by placing pipe support on regular span to avoid sagging of pipe. In vertical pipes, this load is taken care by placing adequate load taking support in the horizontal portion just before/after vertical portion or lug support in the vertical portion.

• Internal / External Pressure

  A pipe used for transporting fluid would be under internal or external pressure load. A pipe with high pressure fluid is under net internal pressure whereas pipe with vacuum conditions or jacketed pipe covering may be under net external pressure. Internal or external pressure induces stresses in the axial as well as circumferential (Hoop Stress) directions. The pressure also induces stresses in the radial direction, but these are often neglected. This type of load is usually taken care during the selection of material for pipe. Pipe material must withstand these stresses at the prescribed temperature and pressure conditions.

Occasional Loads

• Wind Load

  Piping which are located outdoors and above a certain elevation are exposed to wind and will be designed to withstand the maximum wind velocity expected during the plant operating life. Wind pressure for various elevations is used to calculate wind force.

• Seismic Load

  Seismic load is one of the basic concepts of earthquake engineering which means application of an earthquake-generated agitation to a structure. It happens at contact surfaces of a structure either with the ground, or with adjacent structures, or with gravity waves from tsunami.

• Water Hammer

  Water hammer is a pressure surge or wave caused when a fluid (usually a liquid but sometimes also a gas) in motion is forced to stop or change direction suddenly (momentum change). Water hammer commonly occurs when a valve closes suddenly at an end of a pipeline system, and a pressure wave propagates in the pipe. It&#;s also called hydraulic shock.

For more on Water Hammer, check out Water Hammer in Process Plant

• Steam Hammer

  Steam hammer, the pressure surge generated by transient flow of super-heated or saturated steam in a steam-line due to sudden stop valve closures is considered as an occasional load. Though the flow is transient, for the purpose of piping stress analysis, only the unbalanced force along the pipe segment tending to induce piping vibration is calculated and applied on the piping model as static equivalent force.

• Safety Valve Reaction Force

  Reaction forces from relief valve discharge is considered as an occasional load. The reaction force due to steady state flow following the opening of safety relief valve in an open discharge installation can be calculated in accordance with ASME B31.1 Appendix II and applied on the piping model as static equivalent force.

For more on Pressure Safety Valve, check out Introduction to Pressure Safety Valve

Secondary Loads

Secondary loads are caused by displacement of some kind. For example, the pipe connected to a storage tank may be under load if the tank nozzle to which it is connected moves down due to tank settlement. Similarly, pipe connected to a vessel is pulled upwards because the vessel nozzle moves up due to vessel expansion. Also, a pipe may vibrate due to vibrations in the rotating equipment it is attached to.

A pipe may experience expansion or contraction once it is subjected to temperatures higher or lower respectively as compared to temperature at which it was assembled. The secondary loads are often cyclic but not always.For example load due to tank settlement is not cyclic. The load due to vessel nozzle movement during operation is cyclic because the displacement is withdrawn during shut-down and resurfaces again after fresh start-up.

Types of Pipe Support

Rigid Support

Rigid supports are used to restrict pipe movement in certain direction(s) without any or limited flexibility in that direction. Main function of a rigid support can be:

• Anchor or 3 Dimensional Stop

  In this type of support arrangement, pipe is fixed with reference to the supporting structures. Movement in any direction is not allowed. This can be achieved by welding or bolting the support with supporting structure.

• Rest or Sliding Support

  In this type of support arrangement, pipe is fixed with reference to vertical downward direction. Movement in downward vertical direction, mainly due to the weight of pipe and containing fluid, is not allowed. This support is sometimes also referred as sliding support.

• Guide

  In this type of support arrangement, pipe is fixed with reference of directions other then the direction in which weight of pipe and containing fluid is acting. Limited flexibility can be provided with the provision of guide gap (gap between pipe outer surface and guide plate inner surface).

• Both Rest & Guide

  In this type of support arrangement, pipe is fixed with reference to vertical downward direction along-with any or all the guide directions.

Spring Support

Spring supports are used to support a load and allow simultaneous movement. Spring supports use helical coil compression springs (to accommodate loads and associated pipe movements due to thermal expansions). The critical component in both the type of supports are Helical Coil Compression springs. They are broadly classified into,

• Variables Effort support

  Variable effort supports also known as variable hangers or variables are used to support pipe lines subjected to moderate (approximately up to 50mm) vertical thermal movements. Variable effort supports are used to support the weight of pipe work or equipment along with weight of fluids while allowing certain quantum of movement with respect to the structure supporting it. Hot load is the working load of the support in the &#;Hot&#; condition i.e. when the pipe has traveled from the cold condition to the hot or working condition. Load Variation (LV) or Percentage variation =[(Hot Load-Cold Load) x 100]/Hot Load or [(Travel x Spring Rate) x 100]/Hot Load. Normally MSS-SP58 specifies max Load Variation ( popularly called LV) as 25%.

• Constant effort support

  Constant effort supports are used to support pipe lines subjected to large vertical movements typically 150 mm or 250 mm. For pipes which are critical to the performance of the system or so called critical piping where no residual stresses are to be transferred to the pipe it is a common practice to use CES. In a constant effort support the load remains constant when the pipe moves from its cold position to the hot position. Thus irrespective of travel the load remains constant over the complete range of movement. Therefore it is called a constant load hanger. Compared to a variable load hanger where with movement the load varies & the hot load & cold load are two different values governed by the travel & spring constant. A CES unit does not have any spring rate.

a technical knowledge base for all the process piping professionals around the world&#;

A

pipe support

is, as the name suggests, something that can support a pipe. It&#;s that simple, right? Well, unfortunately, it isn&#;t always as easy as this to identify what a pipe support is. It&#;s not always that simple to know how to choose one, especially as there are many different classifications of pipe supports.

Choosing between the many pipe supports that are available can be a challenge. That&#;s why, in this article, we have covered the main classifications of pipe supports and the 2 critical types of pipe support that you must be aware of.

We have also covered the benefits and drawbacks of these two main pipe support types. So, to find out what they are, read this article. 

What are pipe supports?

Pipe supports, which can be referred to as a type of support piping system, can consist of various components, such as a

pipe clamp

, different valves, or a pipe hanger (for horizontal pipes&#;pipes that are arranged in a horizontal direction), which are used to support a specific working load.

A support piping system should be capable of supporting not only the heavy weight of the pipe, but it should also be able to support the load contained within the pipe within loading and operating conditions.

They are also responsible for controlling lateral movements.

How are pipe supports installed?

Pipe supports are installed intermittently, meaning they are placed at intervals and incorporated into the steel structure. 

They must be placed close to the weightier parts of the piping steel structure and the piping technology, such as the valves and other components such as the flanges, since they are the ideal supports for these components.

What should engineers look for when choosing a top pipe support?

The best pipe support restricts movement, specifically keeping pipe movement to a minimum, while taking into consideration the pipe size, and since there are pipe supports that match different purposes, the support of the pipe must be well-chosen and absorb shock that the pipe can sustain.

There are a couple of key points to consider when you choose a pipe support. Now only will you need to think about the particular load that you have to support, which might be a primary load (like pipe pressure), or secondary load (like pipe vibration due to the pipe&#;s change in temperature) you will also need to think about the conditions that the piping support needs to withstand and work under, such as certain weather conditions.

Now, pipe supports carry pipes which, in turn, carry thermal loads. A pipe support should therefore factor in thermal expansion, which refers to the change in temperature and the different temperature extremes between the normal operation, or operating condition, and the installation condition. 

In this sense, a component that helps absorb vertical displacement that temperature changes cause are

spring supports

, so looking for top pipe supports that have the right components is essential.

Piping support examples categorized: Primary and secondary pipe supports

There are several types of piping support categories that your piping support can be classed as. The main other two categories to be aware of are primary piping supports and secondary piping supports. Each of these pipe supports are defined by the way they connect to your piping.

What are primary pipe supports?

The primary pipe supports are those that attach or connect to the pipe itself. Some of the main types of primary piping supports include pipe shoe, clamp supports, and pipe guides/guide supports. 

What are secondary pipe supports?

The secondary pipe supports are those that don&#;t attach directly to the pipe itself. Some of the main types of secondary piping supports include tee posts and racks.

What are the 2 main pipe support types?

The two main types of pipe support are adjustable pipe supports and rigid pipe supports. The piping system that you choose will depend on the requirements of the project. Here&#;s more information on each of these pipe supports and the difference between these types of piping technology.

1.  Adjustable pipe supports: What are they?

An adjustable pipe support is one that you can manually adjust to match your site and project&#;s requirements and conditions. There are a few main examples of adjustable pipe supports, including pipe saddles, a variable spring hanger (some of which use rod hangers), and pipe clamps.

What are the benefits of adjustable pipe supports?

There are five crucial benefits to be aware of when selecting an adjustable piping support. In addition to being safer, they are reliable, help with cost savings, are better for maintenance and enable you to make adjustments. Let&#;s have a look at each of these benefits in turn in more detail.

Adjustable pipe supports offer safety in your plant 

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If your pipeline fails for any reason, you risk the health and safety of your team members. Stepping in and making the right adjustments or changes is critical in situations like these, and adjustable supports can assist you with this.

With adjustable supports, you won&#;t need to adjust the supporting structure. You can access the pipes with ease and act without any danger affecting your team. 

Adjustable pipe supports are ideal for different weather types 

The flexibility with which you can make small adjustments to the piping of your plant with adjustable pipe supports is remarkable. This means that any work that you have already completed can be sustained with the help of adjustable pipe supports; even if there is bad weather, you can protect the work you&#;ve done with adjustable supports.

Pipe supports that are adjustable help you make cost savings

The main problem with rigid pipe supports is that they are often welded into the piping system. Now, since adjustable supports can be affixed with certain components, such as piping saddles, you won&#;t need to affix them permanently to your piping system. 

Less work is needed to affix them and you won&#;t have to solicit skilled welders or get your welding work inspected&#;(which would cost extra).

Pipe supports that are adjustable make maintenance effortless

Adjustable pipe supports make maintenance of your piping project effortless. Take Pro Support Solutions&#; pipe clamps, for instance, their exceptional quality makes industrial plumbing and oil and gas plant engineering projects such as

skid construction

effortless. The main reason for this effortless maintenance is that you can identify corrosion damage with ease.

Making adjustments to your piping structure is easy with adjustable pipe supports

This piping technology makes it easy to adjust your pipe runs if required. So, if you happen to make a piping error, adjustable pipe supports can make it easy to adjust your piping technology or pipe technology support locations. And the moment you&#;ve identified the potential issues with your piping, you can start making plans to fix the error.

What are the drawbacks of adjustable pipe supports?

There are two drawbacks of choosing adjustable pipe supports&#;quality is key, but it can be difficult to find and select the right supplier, with the right components for your project, and corrosion can be another problem to watch out for. Here&#;s a little more information on each of these.

Choosing the right quality is critical

Some suppliers of adjustable pipe supports and components do not provide the optimal quality for your project. Choosing the right quality is essential and ensuring that the components are hot-dip galvanized is crucial. This is something that Pro Support Solutions and partner MEFA provide, ensuring that the quality is always exceptional. 

Corrosion of piping can be expensive if the right adjustable pipe supports aren&#;t chosen

Although you might have to pay a lot to prevent the corrosion of your piping if you don&#;t choose the right adjustable pipe support, you can avoid this by selecting the right provider and the right components, such as Pro Support Solutions&#; many different types of pipe hangers. 

As mentioned, the piping supports provided by Pro Support Solutions are hot-dip galvanized, protecting them from expensive corrosion damage.

2.  Rigid supports: What are they?

A rigid support is specifically suited to mitigate movement of a pipe in at least one direction. These types of supporting structures are installed into the pipe&#;s foundation, and the supporting structure/structural foundational support, but these types of supports are not adjustable.

What are the main types of rigid pipe supports?

Three of the main types of rigid pipe supports include pipe shoes, dummy leg pipe supports, pipe hangers and struts. Other examples of rigid pipe supports include slide plates and t-slide supports.

What are the benefits of rigid pipe supports?

The two main benefits of rigid pipe supports are that they both support the pipes and guide them in the right direction. They also prevent sagging.

Rigid pipe supports carry the weight of a piping system

The main benefit of rigid pipe supports, such as rod hangers, is that they mitigate movement transmission that thermal changes or vibrations can cause to piping. This keeps the structure, the weight of the pipes, and the load they carry secure and well-supported.

Rigid pipe supports prevent sagging and guide the piping system accurately

The second main benefit of rigid pipe supports is that they guide the piping system and ensure they do not move downward. In other words, rigid pipe supports, such as pipe show supports, prevent the pipe from sagging excessively under the weight of the load.

What are the drawbacks of rigid pipe supports?

Two main drawbacks of rigid pipe supports include that they require welding in some cases, they are often unable to be adjusted and can make it tricky to access the piping if an engineer needs to make changes to the structure.

Rigid pipe supports require welding

Since rigid pipe supports require welding, there are two main costs to be aware of if you choose this type of pipe support: the cost of welding itself and the potential costs incurred due to prolonged downtime when fixing a piping system with a rigid pipe support.

You cannot easily adjust a rigid pipe support

Rigid pipe supports are not always flexible when compared with adjustable pipe supports. This means it might not be possible to access your piping if you want to make changes to accommodate the requirements of your project or fix any errors with ease.

More specific piping support examples

Then, there are several other types of pipe support classifications, including limit stop supports, a pipe anchor or fixed point support, transverse guides, loose support, and longitudinal guide. Here&#;s more on each of those classifications.

Limit stop supports

Using a limit stop pipe permits free movement in certain directions, specifically when the pipe movement moves at right angles in relation to the axial direction, but they restrict movement in terms of the axial direction.

Fixed point supports

Fixed point supports prevent pipe movement in three directions, including three rotational directions. It can rotate and for certain projects might be used alongside a pipe guide support, offering anchor support for the pipe&#;s thermal loads.

Transverse guides

You can use transverse guides alongside a loose support. Transverse guides are particularly useful for restricting longitudinal movement, which is movement that is perpendicular in comparison to the pipe&#;s length. They do permit longitudinal movement.

Loose support

Using a loose support is ideal if you want to support the weight of a pipe, but only for supporting piping along the vertical direction.

Longitudinal guide

You can use a longitudinal guide to support pipes if you need to restrict movement specifically for the transverse direction. Longitudinal pipe supports are used alongside loose pipe supports as well.

Pipe supports: Choose excellence for your project

There&#;s no question that choosing quality pipe supports is essential when completing your pipe engineering project. This isn&#;t always easy given the broad range of pipe supports available for the project.

However, keep in mind that a good pipe support will not only carry a pipe, but it will:

• Support the primary and secondary loads of a pipe

• Absorb shock that your pipe might endure

• Prevent the sagging of a pipe

• Withstand changes of temperature in a pipe

• Ensure you can effortlessly access the pipe to make changes

• Guide the pipe effectively

• Ensure your plant environment is safe

If you have been searching for a pipe support option that ticks all of the above boxes, be sure to take a look at Pro Support Solutions and partners MEFA and DG-SKID . Our quality solutions and piping technologies are second to none and guarantee perfection when completing your plant engineering project.

For more information, please visit industrial solution of pipe supports.