8 Interface with Stationary Equipment Available to Purchase

The main purpose of piping stress analysis is to ensure the structural integrity of the piping and to maintain the operability of the system. The latter function is mainly to ensure that the piping forces and moments applied to connecting equipment are not excessive. Excessive piping loads may hinder the proper functionality of the equipment. The function of maintaining system operability requires the investigation of the interface effects with connecting equipment. There are three main interface effects between piping and connecting equipment:

(a) The loads imposed on piping from equipment. This involves mainly the expansion of the equipment. The expansion of a vessel, for instance, can be large enough to have a considerable effect on piping stress. Occasionally, the vibration of equipment, although not detrimental to the equipment itself, can amplify through the piping to create a problem.