Problem:

How are Wind loads applied to Constant Spring supports in AutoPIPE?  

Solution:

Recall from AutoPIPE help that all spring support bearing direction's are on the global Vertical axis only. Also, typically wind loads are applied on a horizontal plane. Therefore, how does this Wind load affect the spring support load results?

As wind load(s) are applied to piping / beams, they will move accordingly. As movement opens or closes support gaps, the respective support loads will be affected and reported under the individual load cases (ex. W1, W2, W3, etc..). However, spring supports do not have gap settings and thus all loading / movement of connected components are reported.

Constant Spring supports are handled a little differently when compared to a variable spring support. AutoPIPE will calculate the variable spring support load and movement for individual load case. Whereas, for Constant Spring supports, the program will only apply the springs's cold load value during the gravity load case. For all other individual load cases the load on a constant spring support will be 0.00. At the same time, any movement for individual load cases will be reported. Keep in mind that a Constant Spring will only have and should only report the assigned cold load value. 

In summary, both variable and constant spring supports will only report force results on the global vertical axis. A Variable spring support may have support loads and movements for each individual load case. Where a Constant spring support will only report forces for the gravity load case and combinations. However, constant spring support movements are reported for all individual load cases as they occur (Gr, T1, P1, W1, etc.).

Example   

See Also

Modeling "Wind" - Load Case

Bentley AutoPIPE