Static piping flexibility analysis (Pipe Stress Analysis) is a numerical method that determines how a piping system behaves based on its material, considering operating factors such as pressure, temperature, and fluid. Its objective is to quantify the stresses caused by thermal expansion, taking into account the pipe’s own weight and the accessories involved.
Flexibility studies accurately calculate the internal stress of the pipe and the forces and moments the system generates towards the supporting structure and interacting equipment. The internal stresses from a static piping flexibility analysis are compared with the maximum allowable stresses of the pipe material; the forces and moments generated by the system are compared with standard values governing equipment connections and for calculating the support structure.
By ensuring optimal operating conditions, you are also ensuring the safety of personnel interacting with the system, preserving the physical assets of the company, and contributing to the mitigation of environmental damage.
Our extensive knowledge in expansion joints, constant load spring supports and variable load, low-friction coefficient supports, specially designed rigid supports with movement restrictions, etc., make our flexibility analysis studies functional and tailored to our clients’ needs. It also allows us to provide technical support and guidance during the installation and commissioning process of the analyzed piping systems. We have extensive experience in static flexibility analysis for piping in thermoelectric plants, sugar mills, distilleries, textile factories, steel mills, and chemical plants.
Programs such as CAESAR II and ALGOR PIPEPAK are used for piping flexibility analysis; these software programs are based on standards ASME B31.1 for power piping, ASME B31.3 for process piping, ASME B31.4 for hydrocarbon transportation systems, and ASME B31.8 for gas transportation and distribution systems. As a complement, standards such as EJMA (Expansion Joint Manufacturers Association), NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association), API (American Petroleum Institute), MSS (Manufacturers Standardization Society), and FSA (Fluid Sealing Association) are used.
In addition to this type of studies, we also perform inspection and diagnostics of rigid and flexible supports in power generation plants, sugar mills, refineries, and paper mills.
