Pipe Stress Analysis Work Process

There are many steps in understanding how to lay out a plant with minimal piping stress revisions. The first step is to understand the work process on a project. 

The steps the designer takes to assure quality stress analysis during the design of a petrochemical plant may vary. The steps vary with the size and complexity of the plant. Client requirements also can afito the work process. The process described in the following steps is a typical process for a plant design resulting in 3,000 isometrics. Other processes may work equally well. 

Exhibit 16-1 shows that the first step in the stress analysis work process is to identify the lines on the critical lines list. The critical lines list is a list of line numbers that are likely to receive formal calculations by the stress engineer. This list of lines is important to the designer. It identifies those lines that have the most potential for layout revision requests. The revision requests typically come from the stress engineer on the project. The designer will usually apply the techniques described later to the lines in the critical lines list. 

The stress engineer normally supplies the critical lines list. At times the critical lines list is not available. The designer can then use the following tables as a guideline. There are two tables used for determining the critical lines. Hie designer uses the first table for lines attached to rotating equipment, such as pumps. 

EXHIBIT 16-1 Pipe Stress Work Process Flow Diagram 

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