Pipework through concrete penetrations 4

[gravitate]

In the nuclear industry how is it possible to seal a pipework (cooling water) through a concrete penetration. I am a bit confused to how you can seal it yet bear no loads on the concrete.
I havent seen this in practice while I have been on site (well not paid attention to it anyway). Could someone please explain how this is done.
I take it in the design you have to put in supports to ensure no loads are put on the penetration.

 

[C2it]

You want to seal against what ? If it's just a weather seal then an elastomeric sealant will do the job with no significant loads, provided the pipe is properly supported and restrained.

If you are dealing with a pressure barrier, a Bestobell type seal might do the job, for low pressure only. If you are a sealing a containment against CO2 pressure or similar, I would suggest there will always be load transferred to the penetration, and any method that purports not to do so will be a math fix only.

 

[gravitate]

Hi thanks for the reply and information. I found a Bestoble seal in google thanks. What do you mean by a math seal though please? Is this where the thermal shield of the pipework is welded to an embedment in the concrete?

 

[C2it]

I was referring to the all too common situation where a calculation shows zero loads, which cannot really exist. A mathematical fix, usually involving restraints that cannot actually be built, but exist as a zero in a stress calc input field.

 

[gravitate]

AHA nice. Thanks for that.

 

[bimr]

A metal liner with metal expansion bellow is commonly used. Should not transfer significant loads to the concrete. See the attachment and link.

http://www.power-technology.com/contractors/expansion/boa-flexible

 

[nackra]

http://www.linkseal.com/

another variation to bimr's good suggestion