Buoyancy Analysis & Concrete Coating Requirements

The buoyancy of a pipeline depends upon the weight of the pipe, the weight of the volume of water displaced by the pipe, the weight of the liquid load carried by the pipe, and the weight of the backfill. As a conservative analytical practice, consider the pipeline empty for two reasons; so, the weight of the liquid will be considered as an additional safety factor and the possibility of the pipeline not being in use during a period of time.

This calculation is used to determine downward forces and weights of a specified pipe resulting in the proper spacing of weights to counter the buoyance forces. The calculation does not account/allow for depth of water or burial.

Buoyance Force

Where:
𝐹_𝐵 − Buoyancy Force(lbf)
𝐷_𝑜− Pipe outside diameter including coating (in)
𝛾_𝑤 −Unit weight of fluid/water (lb/ft³)

Weight of steel pipe in the air

Where:
𝑊_𝑃 − Weight of bare pipe in air (lbf)
𝐷_𝑜𝑝 − Pipe outside diameter (in)
𝑡 − Pipe wall thickness(in)

Weight of pipe coating in the air

Where:
𝑊_𝑐 − Weight of coating in air(lbf)
𝛾_𝑐 − Unit weight of coating(lb/ft³)

Weight of product in the pipe

Where:
𝑊_𝑝𝑟 − Weight of product in pipe(lbf)
𝛾_𝑝𝑟 − Unit weight of product in pipe(lb/ft³)

Downward force of the pipe

Net Controlling Force

Where:
𝐹_𝑛𝑒𝑡 − Net controlling force(lbf)
𝑆𝐹 = Safety Factor

Downward force of the concrete weight

Where:
𝑉_𝑤𝑡 − Weight of concrete(fft³)
𝛾_𝑤𝑡 − Unit weight of concrete(lb/ft³)
𝛾_𝑤 − Unit weight of fluid/water(lb/ft³)

Concrete weight spacing

Input Parameters

1. To create a new case, click the “Add Case” button
2. Select the Buoyancy Analysis & Concrete Weights Spacing application from the Steel Pipe – Design and Stress Analysis module
3. Enter Case Name, Location, Date and any necessary notes
4. Fill out all required fields
5. Make sure the values you are inputting are in the correct units
6. Click the CALCULATE button

• Nominal Pipe Size(in)
• Wall Thickness(in)
• Corrosion coating thickness (MIL) Unit
• Weight of product in pipe(lbs./ft³)
• Volume of Concrete weight(ft³)
• Unit Weight of Water(lbs./ft³)
• Unit Weight of Concrete(lbs./ft³)
• Unit Weight of Corrosion Coating (lbs./ft³)
• PLTB

Outputs/Reports

1. View the results
2. If an input parameter needs to be edited be sure to hit the CALCULATE button after the change
3. To SAVE, fill out all required case details then click the SAVE button
4. To rename an existing file, click the SAVE As button
5. Provide all case info then click SAVE
6. To generate a REPORT, click the REPORT button
7. The user may export the Case/Report by clicking the Export to Excel/PowerPoint icon
8. To delete a case, click the DELETE icon near the top of the widget

• Buoyancy Force(lbf/ft)
• Weight of Pipe in Air(lbf/ft)
• Weight of Coating in Air(lbf/ft)
• Weight of Product in Pipe(lbf/ft)
• Downward Force of the Pipe(lbf/ft)
• Net Controlling Force(lbf/ft)
• Downward Force of the Concrete Weight(lbf)
• Concrete Weight Spacing(ft)

Related Links

Pipeline Design & Stress Analysis
Pipeline HUB — User Resources