Common Support Details Generally Used in Piping

II JAY SHRI KRISHNA II

Pipeline support systems are crucial components in make sure the structural integrity and operational efficiency of piping systems. These systems are designed to provide adequate support, control movement, and mitigate stress caused by factors such as weight, thermal expansion, and vibration.

Common Support Details Generally Used in Piping

A variety of support types are employed in pipeline systems, each with its unique characteristics and applications. Understanding these support types is essential for engineers and technicians to select and design appropriate support systems.

Piping Common Supports:

The following types of supports are commonly used in projects:

• Shoe Type Supports

• Trunnion Supports

• Hanger Supports

• Valve Holders

• Spring Supports

• Adjustable Supports

• U-Bolt Type Support

Now, we will go through all one by one let's start...!!

1. Shoe Type Supports: A Versatile Solution for Pipeline Support

Shoe type supports are one of the most common and versatile solutions for securing pipelines in various industrial and construction projects. These supports ensure a stable foundation for the pipeline and can adapt to its length changes caused by temperature fluctuations.

Shoe Welded & Clamped Pipe Support

Types of Shoe Type Supports:

1. Welded Shoe Support:

• Welded directly to the pipe for a strong, rigid connection.

• Ideal for high-pressure and high-temperature applications.

2. Clamped Shoe Support:

• Secured to the pipe with clamps for convenient installation and removal.

• Suitable for lower pressure and temperature applications.

Key Features and Applications:

• Versatile Support: Shoe type supports can function as loose supports, guides, fix points, anchors, transverse guides, or limit stops, depending on the specific design requirements.

• Insulation Compatibility: They are well-suited for pipelines with insulation, providing reliable support without compromising the insulation integrity.

• Adaptability: By making slight modifications, shoe type supports can be converted into adjustable supports to accommodate changes in pipeline alignment or thermal expansion.

• Foundation Support: Shoe type supports are considered primary supports and are anchored to secondary supports such as foundations or structural elements.

2. Trunnion Supports: A Robust Solution for Pipeline Support

Trunnion supports employ a dummy pipe, fusion-welded to the main pipeline, to provide a rigid connection. This assembly is then supported on a secondary structure, such as a foundation or a structural beam.

Trunnion Supports

Key Features of a Trunnion Support:

• Dummy Pipe: A short section of pipe welded to the main pipeline, creating a rigid connection.

• Primary Support: The trunnion itself, which is typically welded or attached to the dummy pipe.

• Secondary Support: A structural element like a beam, column, or foundation that supports the trunnion.

Benefits of Trunnion Supports:

• Versatile Orientation: Trunnion supports can be configured with vertical or horizontal trunnions, offering flexibility in design and installation.

• Multiple Support Functions: These supports can serve as loose supports, guides, transverse guides, fix points, anchors, or adjustable supports, depending on the specific requirements of the pipeline system.

• Rigid Connection: The welded dummy pipe ensures a strong and rigid connection between the pipeline and the support structure, enhancing the overall system stability.

3. Hanger Supports: A Flexible Solution for Pipeline Support

Hanger supports are a common type of pipeline support that involves suspending the pipe from a structural element using a hanger rod. A clamp encircles and tightens around the pipe and hanger rod to secure their connection.

Key Features and Applications:

• Adjustable Support: By incorporating a turnbuckle into the hanger rod, the support can be adjusted to accommodate variations in pipe weight or thermal expansion.

• Loose Support: Hanger supports are primarily used as loose supports, allowing the pipe to move freely vertically. This flexibility is crucial for mitigating stress and ensuring the longevity of the pipeline.

Components of a Hanger Support:

Hanger Support

• Hanger Rod: The primary vertical component linking the pipe to the secondary support structure.

• U-Clip: A clamp that secures the hanger rod to the secondary support.

• Turnbuckle: An adjustable component that allows for fine-tuning the support's length.

• Hanger Pod: A support part that attaches the hanger rod to the pipe.

• Clamp: A device that secures the pipe to the hanger pod.

Advantages of Hanger Supports:

• Flexibility: They can adjust to the vertical shifting of the pipeline as it expands and contracts with temperature changes.

• Ease of Installation: Relatively simple to install and adjust.

• Cost-Effective: Generally less expensive than other support types.

4. Valve Holders: Specialized Support for Critical Applications

Valve holders are specialized support structures designed to directly support the body of a valve through its flanges. This type of support is typically used in situations where the pipe material, such as plastic piping, is not sufficiently strong to transfer the valve load to the support structure.

Key features of a Valve holder:

• Direct support: It provides direct support to the valve body, preventing excessive stress on the pipe.

• Complex fabrication: Valve holders often involve multiple fabrication steps, including machining and drilling.

• Limited application: Due to their complexity and cost, they are primarily used in specific applications where direct valve support is essential.

Types of Valve holders:

• Welded valve holder: The holder plates are welded directly to the valve flanges.

• Bolted valve holder: The holder plates are bolted to the valve flanges.

Applications:

• Direct Valve Support: Valve holders provide direct support to the valve body, ensuring stability and preventing excessive stress on the pipe.

• Complex Fabrication: The construction of valve holders involves multiple fabrication steps, including machining and drilling, which can increase the overall cost.

• Limited Application: Due to their complexity and cost, valve holders are primarily used in specific applications where direct valve support is essential, such as those involving plastic piping or other weak materials.

• Support Functions: Valve holders can be configured to serve as loose supports, guide supports, or fix points, depending on the specific requirements of the pipeline system.

5. Spring Supports: A Dynamic Solution for Pipeline Support

Spring supports are specialized pipeline supports designed to accommodate vertical movement due to thermal expansion and contraction. They utilize a spring element to absorb and manage these movements, ensuring the structural integrity of the pipeline. By doing so, they prevent excessive stress on both the pipeline and its supporting structures.

Types of Spring Supports

1. Variable Spring Supports:

• Hanger Type: The pipe is suspended from a secondary support using a spring hanger.

• Bottom Support Type: The pipe rests on a spring-loaded support plate.

2. Constant Spring Supports:

• Hanger Type: Similar to variable spring hangers, but with a mechanism to maintain constant load.

• Bottom Support Type: Similar to variable spring bottom supports, but with a mechanism to maintain constant load.

Hanger Type (Variable) Spring Support:

Hanger Type (Variable) Spring Supports are another common type of spring support used in pipeline systems. In this configuration, the pipeline is suspended from a secondary support using a spring hanger.

Key Features:

• Vertical Movement Accommodation: The spring element in the hanger allows for vertical movement of the pipeline, preventing excessive stress on the pipe and its supporting structures.

• Load Absorption: The spring absorbs the vertical load from the pipeline, ensuring that the secondary support structure is not overloaded.

• Variable Spring Rate: The spring rate may vary with deflection, allowing for precise control of the support's behavior.

Applications:

• Pipelines with significant thermal expansion and contraction.

• Situations where precise control of vertical movement is required.

Advantages:

• Flexibility: Can accommodate a wide range of vertical movements.

• Reduced Stress: Minimizes stress on the pipeline and its supports.

• Reliable Performance: Provides consistent support over time.

Hanger and Bottom Support Configurations

Bottom Support Type (Variable) Spring Support:

Bottom Support Type (Variable) Spring Supports are designed to absorb and manage the vertical movement of pipelines caused by changes in temperature, ensuring the structural integrity of the system. In this configuration, the pipeline rests on a spring-loaded support plate.

Key Features:

• Vertical Movement Accommodation: The spring element in the support allows for vertical movement of the pipeline, preventing excessive stress on the pipe and its supporting structures.

• Load Absorption: The spring absorbs the vertical load from the pipeline, ensuring that the secondary support structure is not overloaded.

• Variable Spring Rate: The spring rate may vary with deflection, allowing for precise control of the support's behavior.

Applications:

• Pipelines with significant thermal expansion and contraction.

• Situations where precise control of vertical movement is required.

Advantages:

• Flexibility: Can accommodate a wide range of vertical movements.

• Reduced Stress: Minimizes stress on the pipeline and its supports.

• Reliable Performance: Provides consistent support over time.

Both hanger type and bottom support type variable spring supports are essential for ensuring the structural integrity and operational efficiency of pipeline systems. By understanding their principles and applications, engineers and technicians can select the appropriate support type to meet the specific needs of a project.

Key Features and Applications:

Thermal Movement Accommodation: Spring supports are essential for pipelines that experience significant thermal expansion and contraction, allowing for vertical movement without compromising the integrity of the system.

• Load Absorption: The spring element in a spring support absorbs the vertical load from the pipeline, ensuring that the secondary support structure is not overloaded.

• Support Types: Spring supports can be classified based on their configuration:

• Resting Type: The spring support is positioned below the pipe, providing upward support.

• Hanger Type: The spring support is positioned above the pipe, providing downward support.

• Spring Types: Spring supports can also be categorized based on their spring design:

• Variable Spring Type: The spring rate varies with the deflection, allowing for precise control of the support's behavior.

• Constant Spring Type: The spring rate remains constant, providing consistent support over a wide range of deflections.

Key Considerations:

Variable Spring Supports:

• More economical

• Can adjust to varying loads

• May experience some load fluctuation during thermal cycles

Constant Spring Supports:

• More expensive

• Maintains constant load

• Less adaptable to unexpected load variations

6. Adjustable Supports:

Adjustable supports are a type of support that allows for field adjustments to accommodate installation tolerances or changes in piping configuration. They are particularly useful when precise alignment or compensation for thermal expansion is required.

Key Features and Applications:

• Flexibility: Adjustable supports can be fine-tuned to compensate for variations in pipe weight, thermal expansion, or installation errors.

• Adaptability: They can be used with various support types, including spring supports, hanger supports, and shoe supports.

• Ease of Installation: Adjustable supports can be easily installed and adjusted in the field.

Adjustable Trunnion Support for Pump Installation

Types of Adjustable Supports:

• Screw-Type Adjustable Supports: These supports use threaded rods or screws to adjust the support height.

• Hydraulic Adjustable Supports: These supports use hydraulic cylinders to adjust the support height.

Selecting the Right Support:

The selection of a suitable adjustable support depends on several factors, including:

• Pipeline Material and Configuration: The material and size of the pipeline will influence the required support capacity and flexibility.

• Thermal Expansion and Contraction: The expected thermal movement will determine the necessary adjustment range.

• Load Variations: Any additional loads, such as equipment weight or dynamic forces, must be considered.

• Cost and Maintenance: The initial cost and ongoing maintenance requirements should be evaluated.

By understanding the principles and applications of adjustable supports, engineers and technicians can design and implement effective pipeline support systems that are both flexible and reliable.

7. U-Bolt Type Support:

U-bolt supports are a simple and widely used primary support for uninsulated pipelines. They are commonly employed as guides to control the direction of the pipeline. While they can be used as fix points for smaller diameter, uninsulated pipes, their use as fix points for larger diameter pipes is generally avoided.

Conclusion:

By understanding the diverse range of support types, including shoe, trunnion, hanger, valve holder, and spring supports, engineers and technicians can make informed decisions to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of pipeline systems. The selection of appropriate supports should consider factors such as pipeline material, size, thermal expansion, and load variations to optimize the overall performance of the pipeline.

In next post we will understand about secondary support design consideration. till then...!!

Kindly, follow my blogs on

Stress Analysis Basic Concepts and Terminology

Dead Load vs. Live Load: A Comparative Analysis

A Stress Load Comparison: Thermal vs. Seismic

Balancing Wind and Pressure Forces in Piping Systems

Piping Supports: Key to Stronger Piping and Safer Operations

ASME B31.3: Codes for Piping Stress

Classification of Pipe Supports

Key Considerations for Secondary Support Design

Optimal Piping Support Design: For Pumps, Vessels and Exchangers

Pipe Support Design: Considerations for Different Piping Systems

Common, Basic and Important Interview Questions on Pipe Supports

Please like, message and share if you feel all my blogs are beneficial, useful or helpful for you and for other also.

Thank you so much for following my blog…!! 🙏

See you all in the next coming blogs till then keep exploring piping field……!!

Have a great day today.... Keep smiling 😀 and God Bless You all…!!

To be continue……