Buckling and Fatigue Evaluation of Braced Piping Support by Numerical Analysis

Abstract

Buckling and fatigue evaluation of braced piping supports was conducted using numerical analysis. Buckling and fatigue occurred on the piping support during vibration and static load tests. A numerical model for the evaluation was developed, and the load–displacement relationship and local strain obtained by the numerical analysis were in good agreement with experimental results. Thus, the numerical model was validated. Buckling and fatigue evaluations were subsequently conducted using the model. In the buckling evaluation, the experimental buckling load was in good agreement with that obtained by Johnson’s formula. Fatigue evaluation was conducted to investigate whether fatigue crack had occurred before the rupture on the piping support. The linear cumulative damage was calculated, suggesting the possibility of fatigue crack formation. Ductile rupture was considered to occur after the fatigue crack formation.