Piperack Design: Longitudinal Thermal Bracing

[wadavis]

Something from this thread that I wanted to ask about.

This piperack structural has longitudinal thermal bracing with breaks every 100ft. What is the purpose of the longitudinal ties?

Are these just to prevent bending and deflection in the posts (due to thermal friction)? Or is there more?

Structural, Alberta

 

[WARose]

Acts as sort of a drag strut to get the (net) thermal forces to the vertical braces. It will do the same thing for lateral forces.

 

[delagina]

Yes, to transfer the thermal friction horizontal forces to the vertical brace. Although for pipersck that is just single level, its not uncommon to just have transverse "bents" and no vertical brace and longitudinal beams. The base will just be fixed.

 

[Sawbux]

Surely helps with wind and seismic forces also!

 

[delagina]

Friction not combined with wind. It's usually friction considered in that direction and no wind necessary.