Linear Thermal Pipeline Expansion

Buried pipe must include pre-existing operational stresses. These includes hoop, longitudinal stress due to thermal expansion. Outside force stress must be added to these stresses before any evaluations can be performed as in PLTB.

The thermal stress is difficult to estimate because of unknown installation temperature. It can be estimated from local climatic data.

Thermal Expansion – Linear
PTLB Design & Stress Analysis_2.16 Intro.png
𝐸 − Elongation[in]
𝐶 − Coefficient of Linear Expansion[in/℉]
𝐿 − Length of pipe [ft]
𝑇1 − 𝑇2 = Temperature change(℉)

Material Coefficient:
PTLB Design & Stress Analysis_2.16 Intro 2.png

Longitudinal Stress due to Temperature Changes
PTLB Design & Stress Analysis_2.16 Intro 3.png
𝑆 − Stress[psi]
𝐶 − Coefficient of Linear Expansion[in/℉]
𝐸 − Modulus of Elasticity[psi]
𝑇1 −𝑇2 = Temperature change(℉)

Input Parameters
To create a new case, click the “Add Case” button
Select the Linear Thermal Pipeline Expansion application from the Steel Pipe – Design and Stress Analysis module.
Enter Case Name, Location, Date and any necessary notes.
Fill out all required fields.
Make sure the values you are inputting are in the correct units.
Click the CALCULATE button.
Pipe Length(ft)
Temperature Change(°F)
Modulus of Elasticity(psi)
Coefficient of Linear Expansion(in/in°F)
PLTB Liquid_DesignStress_2.16 Input Rev_092420.png

Outputs/Reports
View the results.
If an input parameter needs to be edited be sure to hit the CALCULATE button after the change.
To SAVE, fill out all required case details then click the SAVE button.
To rename an existing file, click the SAVE As button. Provide all case info then click SAVE.
To generate a REPORT, click the REPORT button.
The user may export the Case/Report by clicking the Export to Excel/PowerPoint icon.
To delete a case, click the DELETE icon near the top of the widget.
Pipe Linear Elongation(in)
Longitudinal Stress due to Temperature Change(psi).
PLTB Liquid_DesignStress_2.16 Output Rev_092420.png

Related Links
Pipeline Design & Stress Analysis

Pipeline HUB — User Resources

Linear Thermal Pipeline Expansion

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