Your opinion about this accident bending

[Cesaredu]

I have an inspection work, for which I inspect the fireproofing network, someone could give me your opinion on what happened here? I ruled out the wind speed is 2m / s so I do not think that was material, the fluid is water at 25 º C normally sometimes the pipe surface temperature reaches 50 º C, so I guess no dilatation

I appreciate all your comments.

http://i.imagehost.org/view/0373/Dibujo

 

[pennpiper]

Without more information here is my guess.

This is a case of poor design (No pipe guides at alternate pipe supports) and natural causes (Thermal expansion due to Solar radiation).

There is also the possibility that there is some kind of restraint at both ends of this long run.

 

[rumandcola]

50C is enough to cause a long run of pipe to buckle under thermal expansion if the ends are rigid.
It would be helpful to see what is happening at each end.

 

[BigInch]

Probably solar heating.

Are you in a seismic zone?

**********************
"Pumping accounts for 20% of the world’s energy used by electric motors and 25-50% of the total electrical energy usage in certain industrial facilities."-DOE statistic (Note: Make that 99% for pipeline companies)

http://virtualpipeline.spaces.live.com/

 

[unclesyd]

I'll have to go with the others that the source is thermal expansion with restrained ends. We have quite a number of areas in our plant, Florida, where this has happened. It looks as though someone was anticipating this happening as the racks are wide.

 

[MJCronin]

Hit by a vehicle ?

 

[BigInch]

Trolls and gremlins have been known to play around with these things. Have you seen any fairy mushrooms in the vicinity?

Seriously, its acceptable to deliberately allow for snaking, if the stress allowables are not exceed (snaking reduces stress) and the plant manager does not consider himself a perfectionist, such that all pipe must permanently remain either parallel to, or at right angles with plant north.

**********************
"Pumping accounts for 20% of the world’s energy used by electric motors and 25-50% of the total electrical energy usage in certain industrial facilities."-DOE statistic (Note: Make that 99% for pipeline companies)

http://virtualpipeline.spaces.live.com/

 

[racookpe1978]

I count twelve horizontal pipe supports between the camera and the far turn to the right. Behind the camera? How many more - at 12 - 15 feet between each space for a relatively small pipe?

No lateral restraints -> so the pipe twisted sideways, not "up" so it didn't even have gravity to try to pull it back down.

30 degree C rise (from ambient (?)) at 20 degrees in the morning = (roughly) 60 degrees F change. It is enough.

(Unless there is a "moderately large" magnet on one side of the pipe pulling all the pipes that way. Check your compass before looking further. 8<)