Best Practice

SABP-L-006

31 January 2010

Piping Stress Analysis Review

Document Responsibility: CSD/MED/Piping Unit

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents
1
2
3
4
5
6

Scope.................................................................
Conflicts and Deviations....................................
References.........................................................
Required Documents for the Review.................
Review of the Design Basis...............................
Review Computer Stress Analysis Modeling.....

2
2
2
3
3
4

Appendix A Pipe Stress Analysis Check List....... 7

Previous Issue: New Next Planned Update: TBD

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Primary contact: Dib, Tony G. on 966-3-8760195 and Alzughaibi, Mishal I. on 966-3-8760173
CopyrightSaudi Aramco 2010. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: CSD/MED/Piping Unit

Issue Date: 31 January 2010
Next Planned Update: TBD

SABP-L-006
Piping Stress Analysis Review

Scope
1.1

The objective of this best practice is to provide a methodology for reviewing

electronic piping stress analysis files, stress analysis that are generated by design
agencies/offices for Saudi Aramco new projects or existing piping
modifications.

1.2

This best practice is governed by the definitions and mandatory requirements of

SAES-L-120 Piping Flexibility Analysis.

1.3

This best practice is intended to be used by Saudi Aramco Engineers who are
directly involved in design review or approval; mainly CSD, PMT and
Operation Engineers.

Conflicts and Deviations

2.1

Conflicts with Mandatory Standards

In the event of a conflict between this Best Practice and other Mandatory Saudi
Aramco Engineering Requirement, the Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering
Requirement shall govern.

2.2

Disclaimer
This Best Practice is being provided for the general guidance and benefit of
Saudi Aramco engineers and operating facilities. The information or material
contained here will not release the users from the responsibility of safeguarding
and controlling their operations within Saudi Aramco established guidelines
such as GIs and engineering standards.

References
This Best Practice is based on the latest edition of the references below, unless
otherwise noted.
3.1

Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards
SAES-A-112

Meteorological and Seismic Design Criteria

SAES-L-100

Applicable Codes & Standards for Pressure

Piping Systems

SAES-L-120

Piping Flexibility Analysis

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Document Responsibility: CSD/MED/Piping Unit

Issue Date: 31 January 2010
Next Planned Update: TBD

3.2

SABP-L-006
Piping Stress Analysis Review

Industry Codes and Standards

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASME B31.1

Power Piping

ASME B31.3

Process Piping

ASME B31.4

Pipeline Transportation Systems for Liquid

Hydrocarbon and Other Liquids

ASME B31.8

Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping

Systems

Required Documents for the Review

To be able to conduct a thorough review of piping stress analysis calculations, the
below documents are required:

1)

Safety Instruction Sheet (SIS) of each pipe

2)

Process and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID) showing all lines

3)

Piping isometric drawings (ISO)

4)

Pipe Stress isometrics

5)

Electronic Computational Piping Stress Analysis input files

6)

Expansion Joints data sheets (if applicable)

7)

Spring supports/hangers data sheets (if applicable)

8)

Equipment nozzles allowable per the manufacturer or code(if applicable)

Review of the Design Basis

Before stating the review of the design calculations, review of the design basis
documents shall be completed to verify the accuracy of the design parameters that are
used in the calculations, a detailed check list can be found in Appendix A.
5.1

Safety Instruction Sheet (SIS)

SIS is the basis for all the design parameters; the SIS includes detailed
information on Line identification, piping data, operating and design conditions.

5.2

Piping Isometric Drawings (ISO)

The piping isometric provides the actual piping layout, support type and locations,
piping material specification and information to the connected equipments.

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Document Responsibility: CSD/MED/Piping Unit

Issue Date: 31 January 2010
Next Planned Update: TBD

5.3

SABP-L-006
Piping Stress Analysis Review

Stress Isometric
The stress isometric is the piping model that shows all equipments, node no.,
material specifications, pipe restraints and other information that are required to
perform the analysis utilizing stress analysis program.

Review Computer Stress Analysis Modeling

The quality of the calculation results depends mainly on the accuracy of the input file.
All input parameters are important. However, this best practice is highlighting the most
critical item that the reviewer needs to check/verify as minimum. These items are
addressed in the check list Appendix-A.
Note:

the commonly used stress analysis software within Saudi Aramco is CAESAR II, if other
stress analysis software is being reviewed, the reviewer shall request access to the
used stress analysis software.

6.1

Load Combinations
When reviewing the computer stress analysis modeling, it is important to verify
if all the possible operational seniors are analyzed, this can result in several load
combinations for the same piping system, each load combination is at different
operational conditions.
Example:
When we have two pumps, pump (1) and Pump (2), one is normally operating
and one is a stand-by, the following load conditions should be considered:
Table 1 Load Combinations
Pump 1

Pump 2

Load Condition 1

Running (Hot)

Running (Hot)

Load Condition 2

Running (Hot)

Stand By (Cold)

Load Condition 3

Stand By (Cold)

Stand By (Cold)

Similarly in you have three pumps Pump (1), (2) & (3), two are operating and
one is stand by, the following load conditions should be considered:

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Document Responsibility: CSD/MED/Piping Unit

Issue Date: 31 January 2010
Next Planned Update: TBD

SABP-L-006
Piping Stress Analysis Review

Table 2 Load Combinations

6.2

Pump 1

Pump 2

Pump 3

Load Condition 1

Running (Hot)

Running (Hot)

Running (Hot)

Load Condition 2

Running (Hot)

Running (Hot)

Stand By (Cold)

Load Condition 3

Running (Hot)

Stand By (Cold)

Running (Hot)

Load Condition 4

Stand By (Cold)

Running (Hot)

Running (Hot)

Review Calculation Results

The last phase in the review process is evaluating the calculation results; the
purpose of this evaluation is to see if stress, deflection and displacement are
within allowable.
6.2.1

Maximum Horizontal Displacement

At any point of the piping system, and for any load combination,
horizontal displacement shall be within the limit per the design criteria.
The following is a recommended practice:

6.2.2

1)

In the process unit the maximum movement at each side of the loop
should not be more than 6 inch.

2)

In the offsite area, the maximum movement at each side of the loop
should be no more than 12 inch.

3)

The guideline for the thermal movement at the corner when pipe
changes direction should be limited to a maximum of 6 inch in the
process area and 10 inch in the offsite area.

Equipment Nozzle Loads

The reviewer shall verify that all Equipment nozzel loads are qualified
per the vendors allowable or per the applicable code or standard or such
as:

NEMA SM23

Evaluates piping loads on steam turbine nozzles

API 610

Evaluates piping loads on centrifugal pumps

API 617

Evaluates piping loads on centrifugal compressors

API 618

Evaluates piping loads on reciprocating compressors

API 661

Evaluates piping loads on air-cooled heat

exchangers
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Document Responsibility: CSD/MED/Piping Unit

Issue Date: 31 January 2010
Next Planned Update: TBD

31 January 2010

SABP-L-006
Piping Stress Analysis Review

API 560

Evaluates piping loads on fired heaters

WRC 107

Evaluates the vessel stresses in the immediate

vicinity of a nozzle

WRC 297

Computes stresses in the nozzle in the vessel

(evaluation of stresses in cylinder-to-cylinder
intersections)

Revision Summary
New Saudi Aramco Best Practice.

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Document Responsibility: CSD/MED/Piping Unit

Issue Date: 31 January 2010
Next Planned Update: TBD

SABP-L-006
Piping Stress Analysis Review

Appendix A Pipe Stress Analysis Check List

Reviewers Name:
Calculation No. Including BI No.
Review Date:
Item

Document
Title

SIS

Is the code used in compliance with SAES-L-100?

SIS

Is the wall thickness calculation utilizing the applicable code?

3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19

SIS
SIS
Piping
Isometrics
Piping
Isometrics
Stress
Isometric
Stress
Isometric
Stress
Isometric
Stress
Isometric
Stress
Isometric
Stress
Isometric
Modeling
Modeling

Description of item

Is the hydrotest pressure calculation per SAES-L-150?

Is the design temperature vs. Material allowable based on the
ASTM and the applicable code?
Does the piping and fittings material specification match the
information on the SIS?
Does the Piping Iso. Include all valves/equipments that are shown
on the P&ID for that line?
Does the stress Iso match the routings of the piping isometric?
Does the stress Isometric drawing include node numbering for
computer stress analysis modeling?
Does the stress Isometric drawing include dimensions per the
piping isometric?
Does the stress Isometric drawing include material specifications?
Does the stress Isometric drawing include insulation type and
thickness?
Does the stress Isometric drawing include details, type and
locations of the restraints?
Are all equipment nozzles are identified as anchors with the
equipments thermal expansion?
Are all pipe supports and restraints are modeled per the stress
isometric?

Modeling

Is all pipe support friction factor as per SAES-L-120?

Modeling

Is the thermal expansion of the equipment considered in the

modeling?
Is the analysis being terminated (stress analysis boundary) at an
anchor or at least at a three way restraint?
Are the spring supports modeled correctly (variable, constant,
preloading, spring rate.) ?
Are the expansion joints modeled correctly (type, spring rates,
displacements)?

Modeling
Modeling
Modeling

Comments

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Document Responsibility: CSD/MED/Piping Unit

Issue Date: 31 January 2010
Next Planned Update: TBD
Item

Document
Title

SABP-L-006
Piping Stress Analysis Review

Description of item

20

Modeling

Are all fittings such elbows, tees, branches, modeled with the
applicable SIF stress intensification factors? And if the analysis
uses SIF other than those in the applicable code, supporting
calculation shall be included.

21

Modeling

Does the code that is used match the SIS data

22

Modeling

Is the design pressure that is used match the SIS data?

23

Modeling

Is the design Temperature that is used matching the SIS data?

24

Modeling

Was wind load condition considered in the Model?

25

Modeling

Was Seismic load condition considered in the Model?

26

Modeling

27

Modeling

28

Modeling

29

Modeling

Are the Differential settlements considered in the modeling?

30

Modeling

Are the units consistent that are used in the model?

31

Modeling

Is the model considering flexible nozzles?

32

Modeling

Did the model utilize the program database for material

specifications?

33

Modeling

Is the Fluid density used corresponds to the service?

34

Modeling

35
36
37
38
39
40

Calculation
Results
Calculation
Results
Calculation
Results
Calculation
Results
Calculation
Results
Calculation
Results

Comments

Do the load combinations represent all the possible scenarios of

operations (design condition, operating condition, hydrostest
condition)? See Paragraph 6.1
If the system will be subjected to steam out, was the steam out
considered as a load condition?
Is the modeling of the supports connected to the equipments
(Pressure Vessels, tanks) per the computer Stress analysis
technique ?

Are the weights of components such as valves, flanges, etc

including bolts inputted correctly?
Are the Maximum stresses for all cases including the combined
stress meet the code allowable?
Are the Maximum vertical displacements at any point for any load
combination higher than 5/8?
Are the Maximum horizontal displacements at any point for any
load combination within the limit per the design criteria? See
Paragraph 6.2.1
Are all Equipment nozzle loads qualified per the applicable code or
standard or with-in the vendors allowable? See Paragraph 6.2.2
Are the Spring hanger reports match the spring data sheets?
Are the Expansion Joints displacements and stresses match
Expansion Joint data sheets?

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