Pipe Stress Analysis in Canada (Wind Loads)

[kmccabe1990]

Hi All,

I was wondering if anyone had experience with pipe stress analysis using Canadian codes. So far I have only been able to look through the British Columbia Building Code (where the project is taking place) and the National Building Code of Canada, however these codes seem to be primarily concerned with loads on structures. This is especially the case for wind loads, where they don't even mention piping anywhere in the relevant sections.

Does anyone have experience with these types of calculations? Is this the only source available or does anyone have other recommendations? Much appreciated!

Thank you.

 

[kmccabe1990]

I should say that the "relevant sections" I mentioned above are in Volume 1, Division B, Part 4.1 of the NBCC (specifically, 4.1.7 for wind loads).

 

[BigInch]

CSA Z662 is one you need to look at.

Independent events are seldomly independent.

 

[kmccabe1990]

Thank you BigInch, I was able to obtain a copy and look through it. It turns out that Z662 references the NBCC (and another Canadian Standard CSA-S471 which I don't have access to), so I should have all my bases covered.

Thanks again!

 

[racookpe1978]

It is unusual for wind loads on a (horizontal, round, relatively thin, low coef of airfoil, relatively low-to-the-ground) "pipe" to be significant when compared to gravity (dead weight of the fluid and pipe and insulation), snow and ice loads!!!, and heat stress from expansion and vibration-type or water-hammer impact loads.

 

[racookpe1978]

What I perhaps expressed poorly is that - as far as structural loads go - the "pipe" (or pipe array on a pipe rack) becomes the "load" that the pipe rack or pipe supports have to carry as a piece of structure.

Now, between supports, each pipe must be checked for its own capacity to hand all expected loads and stresses: weight of pipe, weight of liquid inside,weight of ice, wind loads, vibration, thermal expansion, water hammer, valve dead loads, actuator loads, etc. the combined wind load on a pipe rack could be heavy, but will almost always be less than the other factors combined.