Static Method of Wind Analysis of Piping systems in Caesar

II using Pressure Vs elevation Method

August 24, 2018 4 Comments
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Wind analysis is performed based on Client/ITB requirement. Wind load is an occasional load which
normally occurs less than 20% of plant operating time. There are two methods for wind analysis-Static
and Dynamic. In this article I will try to explain the static method of wind analysis using Caesar II of
COADE Inc following Pressure Vs Elevation Profile.
Criteria for selection of lines for Wind Analysis:
Criteria should be mentioned in ITB document. As a guideline the following can be followed after
verification from client:

 Lines with outside diameter 10” and larger (including insulation) running on 10 m and above.
 Steam / Flare header on the pipe rack.
 Other lines considered important as per stress engineer’s decision.

However if lines are covered by some shelter or other structures then wind analysis can be ignored for
those lines.
Data Required for Wind Analysis:
For wind analysis you must have following data from the client.

 Wind shape factor: Normally for pipe elements the data varies from 0.6-0.8. Check in ITB what
value it says to use.
 Pressure Vs Elevation Profile: Sometimes client provides this profile directly and sometimes
provides equation and data to calculate the profile. A typical wind profile will be shown in diagram
while explaining the steps required while analyzing using Caesar II.
 Elevation of the line under analysis. If HPP elevation is other than 0 you have to reduce HPP from
line global elevation to get actual elevation.

What to check:
As per code B 31.3 we have to check code compliance of the calculated stress (Sustained +Wind). The
allowable stress for wind analysis is 1.33 times Sh values. However sometimes client requires to check
the nozzle loading in Operating+ Wind cases (W+T+P+Win) for static equipment. Normally client does not
require wind load checking for rotating equipment.
Steps for Static Analysis in Caesar II:
Most of the steps are mentioned in attached images. All are self explanatory. However if you face any
problem in understanding please reply in comments section.

 Model the piping system under analysis from piping isometric drawings.
 Enter elevation of the first node in global coordinates.
 Click on Wind/Wave check box on Caesar II Spreadsheet and mention wind shape factor as
shown in Fig. 1
 Fig.1: Caesar Spreadsheet for Wind Analysis

 Now run the analysis and go to the load case editor and select Pressure Vs Elevation as shown
in Fig. 2
 Fig. 2: Load Case Editor showing Wind Pressure Vs Elevation

 In next step enter the pressure vs elevation profile in consistent unit and enter wind direction
cosines as shown in Fig. 3. Normally wind analysis is performed considering wind flow from
North, South, East and West direction. Accordingly Enter +1 or -1 in X or Z direction. Wind
analysis is generally not considered in vertical direction.
 Fig. 3: Load Case Editor showing input of pressure vs elevation profile

 Refer Fig. 4 and prepare the highlighted load cases additionally for wind analysis. Load cases for
L17 to L20 are for code compliance checking and load cases from L5 to L8 for support and
Nozzle load checking.
 Fig. 4: Load cases for Wind Analysis

 Refer Fig 5 and make the combination method as scalar or absolute for the shown load cases.
 Fig. 5: Load case Editor showing load case combination method.

 In the final stage run the analysis and check results. If failing make suitable adjustments to qualify
the same.