Pipe Load factors

[MKN10]

What load factor(s) is used for the design of pipe hangers supported from reinforced concrete slab per code?

Thank you

 

[Pawel27]

What kind of code You use?

 

[MKN10]

There is a disagreement in our office as what the load factor for a pipe filled with water is. Some want to apply 1.2*pipe DL + 1.6*water weight, others suggest appling one factor 1.4, while a third group recommends 1.6*(Pipe DL+Water). I am looking at ICC which refernces ASCE7.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Seismic might control??

 

[fancypants]

Agreed with Mike, seismic may control.

But, just looking a dead and live loading, I would consider 1.2(DL + water). Since everything pipe full of water is known, i consider both as dead.

With that said, one must consider any thrust in bends etc.. as a load on the hangers also.

 

[wannabeSE]

The IBC and ASCE 7 define live and dead load. Fixed service equipment including plumbing stacks are dead loads. So, it is fairly easy to justify the pipe weight as dead load. I would also consider the weight of water in the pipe as a dead load. A pipe can only hold so much water. More weight may be added to the dead load to account for valves and appurtances before using a live load factors.

 

[SteveGregory]

Look at the load combinations in Chapter 2 of ASCE 7-05. Water fits the definition for "F = load due to fluids with well-defined pressures and maximum heights".

So for Strength Design (LRFD), both the 1.4 and 1.2 factor should be used.