Skip to main content

How Does Internal Pressure affects Pipes-Basic study

Imagine a pipe Element, of which's both ends are closed. An Internal Pressure “P” applies on the internal walls of the pipe. The pressure causes the following Stresses on each element of the pipe.

a) Circumferential (Hoop) Stress (σH)

b) Longitudinal Stress (σL)

c) Radial Stress(σR


Graphical Representation of Stress on pipe wall



Imagine a condition in which the Pressure "P" Exceeds the Resisting capacity of the wall. The pipe may split as shown below.


Splitting of Pipe along the Longitudinal Plane




The failure may possible across any line containing diameter and axis of the pipe.Here it's the horizontal plane.Elements which resists this failure experience stress and direction of the same will be along the circumference. Hence it’s called as Circumferential or “Hoop Stress


Let's try to quantify this 
here,
                             D=Diamter of the Pipe
                             t=Thikness of the Pipe
                             L=Legth of the pipe Element

Magnitude of force causing the bursting =Pressure X Area
                                                                 =P x D x L
Resisting Forces (Stress exerted
                               on the Pipe Material)= Area of material Resisting  x Stress
                                                                  =2 t x L x σH
                                                    
 Lets Equate Bursting Force with the Stress Generated,


                                                       P L=2 t σH


Solving This will give, 

Hoop  Stress= 


For a typical System where Pressure (P), Diameter (D) and Material circumferential Stress (σ) is Known, Thickness (t) is the unknown variable and can be tabulated by rearranging the above equation.

Now consider another type of failure 


Failure along Circumference
When a failure, as depicted in the above figure, happens, Elements resisting this will experience stress along the Longitudinal Plane. Therefore this stress is called as Longitudinal stress 

                          Bursting Force =Pressure X Area
          
                

                                  Resisting Force=Metal Area x Stress (σ) 
                                                                               =π X Dt X σL

                                                     
Solving This will Give

Longitudinal Stress= 


It is Clear From the above equations of Longitudinal and Circumferential Stress that, For a given diameter D, thickness t and which is subjected to a pressure P -

The Induced Circumferential Stress is double the induced longitudinal Stress. 

Now consider the nature of Radial stress. Each Element of the Pipe is subjected to Radial Stress, Which acts in Radial direction.

                                              σR=P





Comments

Most Popular

Wall Thickness Calculation of Pipes

Nominal Wall Thickness Calculation Of metallic pipes needs the following information as a Pre-requisite. a) Design Pressure, b) Design Temperature, c) Material Specification, d) Pipe Size e) Applicable Code As Per B 31.3, the required thickness of a Straight Section of Pipe is given by the relation t m =t+c Where , t m =Minimum thickness required including, mechanical corrosion and erosion allowance t=Thickness Required to withstand internal pressure c=Sum of Mechanical Allowance (thread, groove depth) added with corrosion and erosion allowance. Let's Go through each term in the above equation i) Thickness Required to withstand internal pressure [ t ] Nominal wall thickness should be Greater than or equal to the sum of the minimum required thickness and Manufacturer’s Negative tolerance. As per the Code Minimum Thickness t =PD/2(SE+PY) Here, P=Design Pressure (Gauge) D=Outside Diameter of Pipe S=Allowable Stress Value of

Piping Specification-details and the preparation process

Piping Specifications are usually in the form of a manual containing the below-listed points, but not limited to             1 )       Pipe Class and Specifications.             2)       Pipe and fittings thickness table for the different class of piping.             3)       P & ID Abbreviations and Symbols.             4)       List of fluids with Design conditions and Pipe Class.             5)       List of Valves and Gaskets.             6)       Table of Branch connections for different Pipe Classes.             7)       Table of Bolt length.             8)       Valve Dimensions.             9)         Piping Scope Limit for instrumentation called as “Hook Up Diagram”.            10)      Special Items list. Licensor transfers the basic piping specification as part of their basic engineering package, it generally includes a)        List of mediums that have to handle with design conditions. b)       Dimensional and material standard o

Details of Sustained and Displacement Stresses-Core of Pipe Stress Analysis

Piping flexibility analysis as per B31.3code requirements is dealing with two types of stress named as Sustained Stress and Displacement stress .  Both types of stress must be considered separately because sustained stresses are associated with sustained forces while displacement stresses are associated with fixed displacements. SUSTAINED STRESSES: Sustained Stresses are stresses caused by loads that are not relieved as the piping system deflects. See the diagrammatic representation below to get an idea about this.  The weight of the valve placed at the end of the cantilevered pipe induce Stress at the T-Joint. Regardless of the magnitude of the displacement (∆), the magnitude of the load (the weight of the valve) which causes the stress is unchanged.  Therefore, to avoid catastrophic failure, the magnitude of any sustained stress must not exceed the yield strength of the material.  Another example of a sustained stress is the hoop and longitudinal stresses induced by the