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Piping Expansion

PIPE EXPANSION AND

SUPPORT
Amir Aryaan
Piping & Petroleum Engineer | Researcher in 5 articoli Segui
Piping Design and Stress Engineering | Python…

5 agosto 2023

Any steam system must be fully supported, able to expand

during operation and sufficiently flexible to allow
movement as a result. This tutorial includes advice on
different methods and full calculations.

Allowance for expansion

All #pipes will be installed at ambient #temperature. Pipes

carrying hot fluids such as water or steam operate at higher
temperatures.

It follows that they expand, especially in length, with an

increase from ambient to working temperatures. This will
create stress upon certain areas within the distribution
system, such as pipe joints, which, in the extreme, could
fracture. The amount of the expansion is readily calculated
using Equation 10.4.1, or read from an appropriate chart
such as Figure 10.4.1.
Example 10.4.1

A 30 m length of #carbonsteel pipe is to be used to

transport steam at 4 bar g (152°C). If the pipe is installed at
10°C, determine the expansion using Equation 10.4.1.

Alternatively, the chart in Figure 10.4.1 can be used for

finding the approximate expansion of a variety of steel pipe
lengths - see Example 10.4.2 for explanation of use.

Example 10.4.2

Using Figure 10.4.1. Find the approximate expansion from

15°C, of 100 metres of carbon steel pipework used to
distribute steam at 265°C.

Temperature difference is 265 - 15°C = 250°C.

Where the diagonal temperature difference line of 250°C

cuts the horizontal pipe length line at 100 m, drop a vertical
line down. For this example an approximate expansion of
330 mm is indicated.

Pipework flexibility

The #pipework system must be sufficiently flexible to

accommodate the movements of the components as they
expand. In many cases the flexibility of the pipework
system, due to the length of the #pipe and number of
bends and supports, means that no undue stresses are
imposed. In other installations, however, it will be necessary
to incorporate some means of achieving this required
flexibility.

An example on a typical #steam system is the discharge of

condensate from a steam mains drain trap into the
condensate return line that runs along the steam line
(Figure 10.4.2). Here, the difference between the expansions
of the two pipework systems must be taken into account.
The steam main will be operating at a higher temperature
than that of the condensate main, and the two connection
points will move relative to each other during
system warm-up.

The amount of movement to be taken up by the #piping

and any device incorporated in it can be reduced by ‘cold
draw’. The total amount of expansion is first calculated for
each section between fixed anchor points. The pipes are left
short by half of this amount, and stretched cold by pulling
up bolts at a flanged joint, so that at ambient temperature,
the system is stressed in one direction.

When warmed through half of the total temperature rise,

the piping is unstressed. At working temperature and
having fully expanded, the piping is stressed in the
opposite direction. The effect is that instead of being
stressed from 0 F to +1 F units of force, the piping is
stressed from -½ F to + ½ F units of force.

In practical terms, the pipework is assembled cold with a

spacer piece, of length equal to half the expansion,
between two flanges. When the pipework is fully installed
and anchored at both ends, the spacer is removed and the
joint pulled up tight (see Figure 10.4.3).
The remaining part of the expansion, if not accepted by the
natural flexibility of the pipework will call for the use of an
expansion fitting.

In practice, pipework #expansion and support can be

classified into three areas as shown in Figure 10.4.4.

The fixed or ‘anchor’ points ‘A’ provide a datum position

from which expansion takes place.

The sliding support points ‘B’ allow free movement for

expansion of the pipework, while keeping the pipeline
in alignment.

The expansion device at point ‘C’ is to accommodate the

expansion and contraction of the pipe.

Roller supports (Figure 10.4.5 and 10.4.6) are ideal methods

for supporting pipes, at the same time allowing them to
move in two directions. For steel pipework, the rollers
should be manufactured from ferrous material. For copper
pipework, they should be manufactured from non-ferrous
material. It is good practice for pipework supported on
rollers to be fitted with a pipe saddle bolted to a support
bracket at not more than distances of 6 metres to keep the
pipework in alignment during any expansion and
contraction. 

Where two pipes are to be supported one below the other,

it is poor practice to carry the bottom pipe from the top
pipe using a pipe clip. This will cause extra stress to be
added to the top pipe whose thickness has been sized to
take only the stress of its working pressure.

All pipe supports should be specifically designed to suit the

outside diameter of the pipe concerned.
Expansion fittings

The expansion fitting (‘C’ Figure 10.4.4) is one method of

accommodating expansion. These fittings are placed within
a line, and are designed to accommodate the expansion,
without the total length of the line changing. They are
commonly called expansion bellows, due to the bellows
construction of the expansion sleeve.

Other expansion fittings can be made from the pipework

itself. This can be a cheaper way to solve the problem, but
more space is needed to accommodate the pipe.

Full loop

This is simply one complete turn of the pipe and, on steam

pipework, should preferably be fitted in a horizontal rather
than a vertical position to prevent condensate
accumulating on the upstream side.

The downstream side passes below the upstream side and

great care must be taken that it is not fitted the wrong way
round, as condensate can accumulate in the bottom. When
full loops are to be fitted in a confined space, care must be
taken to specify that wrong-handed loops are not supplied.

The full loop does not produce a force in opposition to the

expanding pipework as in some other types, but with steam
pressure inside the loop, there is a slight tendency to
unwind, which puts an additional stress on the flanges.

This design is used rarely today due to the space taken up

by the pipework, and proprietary expansion bellows are
now more readily available. However large steam users
such as power stations or establishments with large outside
distribution systems still tend to use full loop type
expansion devices, as space is usually available and the cost
is relatively low.

Horseshoe or lyre loop

When space is available this type is sometimes used. It is

best fitted horizontally so that the loop and the main are on
the same plane. Pressure does not tend to blow the ends of
the loop apart, but there is a very slight straightening out
effect. This is due to the design but causes no misalignment
of the flanges.

If any of these arrangements are fitted with the loop

vertically above the pipe then a drain point must be
provided on the upstream side as depicted in Figure 10.4.8.

Expansion Loops

The expansion loop can be fabricated from lengths of

straight pipes and elbows welded at the joints (Figure
10.4.9). An indication of the expansion of pipe that can be
accommodated by these assemblies is shown in
Figure 10.4.10.

It can be seen from Figure 10.4.9 that the depth of the loop
should be twice the width, and the width is determined
from Figure 10.4.10, knowing the total amount of expansion
expected from the pipes either side of the loop.

Sliding joint
These are sometimes used because they take up little room,
but it is essential that the pipeline is rigidly anchored and
guided in strict accordance with the manufacturers’
instructions; otherwise steam pressure acting on the cross
sectional area of the sleeve part of the joint tends to blow
the joint apart in opposition to the forces produced by the
expanding pipework (see Figure 10.4.11). Misalignment will
cause the sliding sleeve to bend, while regular maintenance
of the gland packing may also be needed.

Expansion bellows

An expansion bellows, Figures 10.4.12, has the advantage

that it requires no packing (as does the sliding joint type).
But it does have the same disadvantages as the sliding joint
in that pressure inside tends to extend the fitting,
consequently, anchors and guides must be able to
withstand this force.

Bellows may incorporate limit rods, which limit over-

compression and over-extension of the element. These may
have little function under normal operating conditions, as
most simple bellows assemblies are able to withstand small
lateral and angular movement. However, in the event of
anchor failure, they behave as tie rods and contain the
pressure thrust forces, preventing damage to the unit whilst
reducing the possibility of further damage to piping,
equipment and personnel (Figure 10.4.13 (b)).

Where larger forces are expected, some form of additional

mechanical reinforcement should be built into the device,
such as hinged stay bars (Figure 10.4.13 (c)).

There is invariably more than one way to accommodate the

relative movement between two laterally displaced pipes
depending upon the relative positions of bellows anchors
and guides. In terms of preference, axial displacement is
better than angular, which in turn, is better than lateral.
Angular and lateral movement should be avoided wherever
possible.

Figure 10.4.13 (a), (b), and (c) give a rough indication of the
effects of these movements, but, under all circumstances, it
is highly recommended that expert advice is sought from
the bellows’ manufacturer regarding any installation of
expansion bellows.

Pipe Support Spacing

The frequency of pipe supports will vary according to the

bore of the pipe; the actual pipe material (i.e. steel or
copper); and whether the pipe is horizontal or vertical.

Some practical points worthy of consideration are

as follows:

Pipe supports should be provided at intervals not

greater than shown in Table 10.4.3, and run along
those parts of buildings and structures where
appropriate supports may be mounted.
 Where two or more pipes are supported on a common
bracket, the spacing between the supports should be
that for the smallest pipe.

When an appreciable movement will occur, i.e. where

straight pipes are greater than 15 metres in length, the
supports should be of the roller type as outlined
previously.

Vertical pipes should be adequately supported at the

base, to withstand the total weight of the vertical pipe
and the fluid within it. Branches from vertical pipes
must not be used as a means of support for the pipe,
because this will place undue strain upon the tee joint.

All pipe supports should be specifically designed to

suit the outside diameter of the pipe concerned. The
use of oversized pipe brackets is not good practice.

Table 10.4.3 can be used as a guide when calculating the

distance between pipe supports for steel and copper
pipework.

The subject of pipe supports is covered comprehensively in

the European standard EN 13480, Part 3.

reference:

Spirax Sarco | First for Steam

Solutions
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thermal energy. Supporting your journey
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‫ نشر آن است‬،‫زکات علم‬.
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Pubblicato da
Amir Aryaan 5 Segui
Piping & Petroleum Engineer | Researcher in Piping Design and Stress Enginee…
articoli
Pubblicato • 1 settimana

Everything you need about Expansion in Piping (for beginners in piping Engineering)

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Amir Aryaan
Piping & Petroleum Engineer | Researcher in Piping Design and Stress
Engineering | Python developer in Piping | ASME B31.3 | Aveva_PDMS |
Aveva_E3D | CAESARII | AutoCAD |🇮🇷

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