Pipe support U bolt clamps

[rjain1848]

How can I calculate load bearing capacities for Vertical, Axial and Lateral direction for U bolt clamp support used for pipes.

 

[pennpiper]

rjain1848,
You do not say where you are or what the size requirements are.
Go here and do some study:

https://www.btm-mfg.com/products/u-bolts/1-round-bend-u-bolt

Sometimes its possible to do all the right things and still get bad results

 

[FEA way]

It should be possible to calculate these contact stresses analytically but I suggest performing Finite Element Analysis to account for all important factors. You can find a nice description of both approaches in the paper "Steel pipe clamps - stress and friction capacity analysis" by A. Shchukin et al. If you want to know more about FEA approach, let us know - we will help you perform this.

 

[LittleInch]

Ultimate strength In vertical is the tensile strength of your bolt divided by your safety facto.
Lateral it is the shear stress.

Axial though is harder as U bolts are bad at this and a lot depends on how tight the pipe is clamped.

I wouldn't use a U bolt to resist axial force. Just put them on loose with space all around

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[mk3223]

thread725-190914 may help you for the lateral support of the U-bolt design.

IMO, the allowable lateral load of the U-bolt pipe support could be defined by the vendor by the shop testing, such as link below.

http://anvileps.com/data/documents/U-Bolts.pdf