Vertical Pipe Riser Support for High Rise Buildings and Deep Shafts

[Dan1028]

Hello All,

I am working on a project which involves providing new chilled water piping with a vertical rise of approximately 130'. My experience has typically been low-rise buildings, with nothing near this type of vertical rise.

My question is how to support this piping and how to account for thermal expansion. In a horizontal system, this wouldn't be much of an issue, as I'd design thermal expansion loops/z-bends/etc. However, IMC (2012) requires vertical pipe supports located every 10-15', based on the pipe material. If I'm providing supports at that interval, I'm effectively anchoring the piping every 10-15', correct? If so, how do I account for the expansion? I certainly don't want to have a zig-zag of 13+ loops. I found a product from Mason Industries that looks like it might be applicable, but wasn't sure if I've over/under-thought this issue.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Dan

 

[Drazen]

no, if you would fix pipes every 15', that would mean you would need expansion relief at every such section, which does not make sense. "supports" are actually sliders that prevent pipe bending.

calculation of fixed point is more complicated for riser as it involves substantial weight over other loads, four or five of them, which i cannot list right now. the same with table, it goes beyond my current mental abilities, it lists recommendation based on operating pressures only, with no mention of expansion joint force.

for years i use manufacturers calculation programs to calculate fixed points. i use hilti or muepro, do not know what is available to you.

take care to bring your data to structural engineer, he needs to enforce riser fixed point, that is different from horizontal pipe which weight is distributed over whole length of line.

 

[Wilbur55]

Using the calculator here:

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/linear-thermal-expansion-d_1379.html

from 40°F to 90°F for 130 feet of steel pipe, the expansion is about 0.6 inch.
The resilient anchors in your link seem to accommodate 1 inch of movement.

As Drazen said, you need to talk to a structural engineer.

I wonder how much rigid anchoring is needed if your branch piping from the riser can accommodate the movement at the tees.