Seismic Analysis of Piping Systems: Earthquake Analysis

Seismic Analysis of piping systems is performed to safeguard the piping systems from unforeseen earthquake events. During the initial design phase, based on earlier earthquake data available in codes and standards, piping systems and civil structures are designed to withstand piping movements during seismic events. The ASME B31 codes provide the allowable stresses for seismic analysis of piping systems. An equivalent static seismic analysis is the most preferred method, even though dynamic analysis is possible.

Piping Seismic Analysis Basis

The criteria for line selection for seismic analysis are normally mentioned in the ITB documents if the construction site falls under the seismic zone. If the same is not mentioned then the following lines can be considered:

• Lines with an outside diameter of 6” and larger.
• Transfer lines/Two-phase flow lines.
• Piping systems connected to Strain-sensitive equipment like Compressor, Turbine, and Pump.
• Heater and Cold box connected lines.
• Steam & flare header system in a pipe rack.
• Other lines are considered important as per the stress engineer’s decision.

Advantages of Seismic Analysis of Piping Systems

During a seismic or earthquake event, the piping system and components can lead to catastrophic failure if proper seismic analysis of piping systems is not performed during the design stage. So, earthquake analysis of piping systems must be performed while piping stress analysis if the plant falls under seismic zones as specified by codes. The advantages that a proper seismic analysis of the piping system offers are

1. The system will be properly supported for earthquake events. So major system failure is prevented.
2. The seismic analysis assists in identifying the limits and restrictions of the available design codes and standards.
3. Civil structures will be designed accounting for piping seismic loads so robust design.
4. Seismic design help piping engineers improve their ability to model the piping system behavior for a particular ground motion.

Stress Allowable Values for Piping Seismic Analysis

As per code ASME B31.3, the longitudinal stresses generated due to sustained and occasional loads should be within 1.33 times S_h (Basic allowable stress at hot temperature) value. So We have to add Sustained stress and occasional stress such that the scalar combination of the same remains within the limit specified by the code.  Normally nozzle load checking is not required for seismic analysis. However few companies need the nozzle load checking at the seismic condition for static equipment. Sometimes the allowable nozzle load can be increased by 50% for checking in occasional cases. However, nozzle load checking is not required in the seismic case for rotating equipment. The following article will describe steps to perform the static method of seismic analysis in Caesar II.

Seismic Analysis of Piping System using Caesar II

The first step in the static seismic analysis is to collect the seismic coefficient. Sometimes the value of the seismic coefficient is provided directly and sometimes enough data is provided to calculate the same. The following equation (as per IS 1893) can be used to calculate the seismic co-efficient:

Here            

• Spectral Acceleration Coefficient (Sa/g) = 2.5  (Examples are shown for the sake of a typical value calculation)
• Zone Factor (Z)                                      = 0.16
• Response Reduction Factor (R)            = 3
• Importance factor (I)                              = 1.75
• Horizontal Seismic Coefficient (Ah)        = 0.12 (±X & ±Z   Direction)

This co-efficient value needs to be entered in the Caesar spreadsheet as shown below:

Normally the Y component is not entered. However, few clients may require the input of the same. in that case, follow the guidelines provided by them.

To perform seismic analysis open the Caesar II spreadsheet and click on uniform loads as shown in the below-mentioned figure.

Load Cases for Static Seismic Analysis

After that prepare the load cases for seismic analysis. The load cases normally prepared are shown in the figure attached below:

Checking Output of Seismic Analysis

Once you prepared the required load cases simply run the file and check the stresses for Code compliance as mentioned below:

Check the restraint summary for load cases L8 to L11 in the above-mentioned figure and check stresses for load cases L16 to L19.

The above method explained is the equivalent static method of seismic analysis for piping systems. The earthquake analysis can also be performed using the dynamic spectrum method in which a dynamic spectrum must be generated for analysis.