Good afternoon,
Is there any plan/development for critical load buckling for piping with relatively low rigidity such as PVC, CPVC, etc.? In cases with large lengths and non-trivial thermal growths, there is a reasonable concern that this piping could experience buckling. What development is in the works for this?
Thank you,
Daniel Bittinat
Hi Daniel
The recent update to the Euro code ISO 14692 introduced Ring, Shell and Euler buckling for GRP piping. We did not implement the Euler part at this time as their was some complexity as to how to determine the length of unsupported pipe. What code are you applying for PVC pipe and does this contain such a check.
In version 12.00 we introduced the K Peters approach for upheaval analysis that applies a simplified buckling analysis based on idealized imperfections in long buried pipelines. This approach should work for both metallic and non metallic.
Phil Senior
Director or Product Management - Piping
Bentley Systems
Good morning Phil,
Our team is working with B31 codes (specifically above ground applications). B31.3, for example, does not contain a specific check check for buckling. I would assume that Euler's critical load check would be sufficient. I agree that it is complicated to determine the length of unsupported pipe given the variety of supports. If there was at least a conservative check that one could validate with engineering judgment, that would be a good start.