Pipeline codes require full encirclement of fully pressurized pipe at supports.
It is common to see 1/2 encircling rubber pad vulcanized to the pipe bottom and placed on top of a flat topped wide flange beams, or a full encircling rubber pad vulcanized to the pipe, then a fully encircling clamp placed around the pipe/rubber pad. The clamp is then bolted to a wide flange beam.
Fully encircling plate is also seal welded all-around on the pipe. The pipe with full encirclement sleeve then is placed on a support or the support can be welded directly to the sleeve.
834 (b) If the pipe is designed to operate at a hoop stress
of 50% or more of the specified minimum yield strength,
support of the pipe shall be furnished by a member that
completely encircles it. Where it is necessary to provide
positive attachment, as at an anchor, the pipe may be
welded to the encircling member only; the support shall
be attached to the encircling member and not to the
pipe. The connection of the pipe to the encircling member shall be by continuous welds, rather than intermittent ones
A842.2.7 Design of Clamps and Supports. Clamps
and supports shall be designed such that a smooth trans-fer of loads is made from the pipeline or riser to the
supporting structure without highly localized stresses
due to stress concentrations. When members are to be
welded to the pipe they shall fully encircle the pipe and
be welded to the pipe by a full encirclement weld. The
support shall be attached to the encircling member and
not the pipe.
All welds to the pipe shall be nondestructively tested.
Clamps and supports shall be designed in accordance
with the requirements of API RP 2A-WSD, Section 3.
Clamp and support design shall consider the corrosive
effects of moisture retaining gaps and crevices and gal-vanically dissimilar metals.
Interpretation: 15-8
Subject: ASME B31.8, Para. 834.5
Date Issued: September 9, 2009
File: 07-1468
Question (1): For piping that is operating at 50% or more of SMYS, and a welded pipe support
connection is desired, is it necessary to provide a full encirclement sleeve, continuously welded
to the pipe, for attachment of the welded pipe support?
Reply (1): Yes.
Question (2): For piping that is operating at 50% or more of SMYS, is it necessary to provide
a full encirclement sleeve (welded or not welded) to the pipe when a nonwelded support connec-tion is desired (such as a clamp)?
Reply (2): No.