Can AutoPIPE model friction at a spring support?
Yes and No.
Most supports types in AutoPIPE have a field for the user to enter in a Friction Factor value. However, for Support Type = Constant or Spring, there is no such field. Typically when spring support is used in supporting piping a roller support, pin connection, low friction pad, or other are used to prevent transferring a lateral load to the spring support.
A lateral load could prevent the spring can from operating correctly and as a result cause irreparable damage to the piping system. There are support details that do not use these aids, the most typical detailed being the pipe resting on a flat plate or beam supported by spring hanger(s), as pictured below:
This very type of support example is provide in the AutoPIPE help. Please see the following Help location for details:
Help > Contents> Contents Tab> Modeling Approaches> Modeling Approaches> Supports> Model 7: Spring Can with Friction:
An enhancement has been logged to add a Friction Factor field to a spring support:
TFS-E102579:Tracker#:699 - Friction factor for spring supports
Note: If you like this enhancement added to the program, log an Service request mentioning this WIKI. The more requests logged per an enhancement, the quicker the CAE development team will add that feature to the program.
Spring Hanger Pipe Supports Modeling Examples
Bentley AutoPIPE