Odd pipe joint reinforcement plates

[fabtank]

My company is replacing some existing steel water pipe and I have been asked to review the some of the pipe joint reinforcements on the existing pipe.
The joints have some strange looking plates welded to them that I have never seen before:

http://files.engineering.com/getfil...-46bd-b32c-193265b5d711&file=Branch_joint.jpg

http://files.engineering.com/getfil...927-4a0f-842f-3dab440d9396&file=TEE_joint.jpg

Has anyone seen designs similar to this or know of a reference to this type of design?

 

[StevenHPerry]

Is there anything about the routing that would lead to out of plane bending? Are these at all connections?

- Steve Perry
This post is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is offered with the understanding that the author is not engaged in rendering engineering or other professional service. If you need help, get help, and PAY FOR IT.

 

[fabtank]

Steve-
There is nothing that I know of that would cause out of plane bending. This line is running horizontally until it meets the Tee where it goes straight up.
These plates are at all of the connections we are replacing. ((3) 45° branches like the one shown, and (2) Tee connections)

 

[racookpe1978]

The "tee" is a dumb-welded fish-mouth locally build-on-the-fly welded joint. the plates on the tee are to hold the joint while welding, to give some "add more steel stiffeners because the foreman said so" (or because the welder thought it was a good idea) or he added them to hold fishmouth while welding, then fillet welded them rather than cut them off.

The welded plates on the elbow look like inserts between the old pipe and the trench wall to prevent water hammer or to "wedge" the pipe into position while other parts were being fabricated. Or to wedge it back into position after other parts were built in the wrong position or with mis-aligned welds.

If you are replacing the tee with real pipe fittings, you should have no problem. Look out for movement of the pipe when the wedge places are cut off of the elbow area.