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Expansion Loop Calculation 1665103990

Expansion loops consist of rectangular loops formed using 90 degree bends. They are pressure balanced but increase frictional loss and size. A typical expansion loop is shown. The minimum dimensions for h, maximum L, minimum W, and preferred W can be determined using basic equations. Pipeway loops are sized by determining the line with the largest expansion and moment of inertia that requires anchoring, while fitting in the available space. Multiple loops may be needed if branches cannot flex or the loop is too large to support.

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Ponnaiah Sathiyaprabhu
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335 views6 pages

Expansion Loop Calculation 1665103990

Expansion loops consist of rectangular loops formed using 90 degree bends. They are pressure balanced but increase frictional loss and size. A typical expansion loop is shown. The minimum dimensions for h, maximum L, minimum W, and preferred W can be determined using basic equations. Pipeway loops are sized by determining the line with the largest expansion and moment of inertia that requires anchoring, while fitting in the available space. Multiple loops may be needed if branches cannot flex or the loop is too large to support.

Uploaded by

Ponnaiah Sathiyaprabhu
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© © All Rights Reserved
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DISCUSSION 4 DATE: 01-10-2022

Expansion loops
Expansion loops consist of rectangular loops formed by using 90° angle bends. In most cases, the
cold spring technique is applied. The primary advantage of an expansion loop is that it is
pressurebalanced. However, there are disadvantages such as increased frictional loss (usually
negligible), size(especially in large-diameter pipe), and dead weight, which may have to be
supported and may create a problem in crowded facilities. A typical expansion loop for use in hot
piping systems is shown in Figure

The basic equations for determining the minimum h, maximum L, minimum W, and preferred W for
expansion loops are

Typical expansion loop


Method For Sizing Pipeway Loops

1. Anchor lines near their center.

Determine which lines require loops by checking the allowable expansion at each end of the
run. If each end will absorb the resulting expansion, no loop is required, usually. If the line
spacing cannot be adjusted to take the movement, a loop is required.

2. Determine which of the lines requiring loops need the largest loop, second largest,
etc., by the following:

A. Multiply the total expansion of each line between its proposed anchors by the pipe's
moment of inertia (E). (The stiffness of a line is measured by its "Moment of inertia.")

B. The line with the largest of these calculated numbers will require the largest loop,
the next smaller number, the next smaller loop, etc.

C. The above rule does not check stress. This is checked after the loops are roughly
dimensioned.

3. Check the space available for the loops.

Make sure that the lines requiring the biggest loops are berthed near the edge of the
pipeway opposite the top of the loop. Fit the loops between two pipe supports using
minimum spacing plus allowance for line expansion and bowing. Make the loops as
wide as possible, but keep the height to a minimum. If stress or force is extremely
high, check with stress engineer for height of loop.
Note: Usually the lines with the most expansion are berthed on the edge of the pipeway so
that the thermal expansion grows away from the other pipes at the corners, even if the
line doesn't require the largest loop.

4. Send finished pipeway to stress for accurate calculation of anchor forces for transmittal to
Structural and accurate evaluation of stresses in the piping.

Multiple Loops
More than one loop may be required when:

a. It is impossible to make branch connections flexible enough.

b. Spacing between branches and neighboring lines or steel is limited.

c. When loop becomes too large to support or fit into space available.

d. Anchor forces become too unbalanced and steel cannot be economically braced.

Sample drawing

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