ASME B31 • ASCE 7-22 §13 • Caesar II / AutoPIPE
Pipe Stress Analysis Services
PE/SE stamped pipe stress analysis for power, process, and building-services piping. ASME B31.1 / B31.3 / B31.9 code stress, ASCE 7-22 seismic and wind, equipment nozzle loads, and dynamic load cases — delivered in Caesar II or AutoPIPE with stamped reports ready for AHJ, HCAI/OSHPD, and owner review.
What is pipe stress analysis?
Pipe stress analysis is the structural evaluation of a piping system under sustained, thermal, and occasional (seismic, wind, slug, water hammer) loading per ASME B31 codes. The analysis confirms code-allowable stresses, equipment nozzle loads, support reactions, and displacements remain within limits — and delivers the support and anchor forces the structural team needs for attachment design.
For HCAI/OSHPD and IBC essential-facility piping, a stamped pipe stress analysis is the bridge between the mechanical line list and the seismic bracing layout. We deliver the Caesar II or AutoPIPE model, the stamped code-stress report, and brace-spacing tables that match the OPM-listed bracing system on the project.
Common pipe stress mistakes we catch
- • Missing thermal expansion at long straight runs into pumps
- • Equipment nozzle loads above API 610 / NEMA SM-23 allowable
- • No occasional load case for ASCE 7-22 §13.6.7 seismic
- • Ignoring water hammer and PSV reaction force time-history
- • Brace spacing built from generic charts, not the actual stress model
- • Missing differential displacement check at building separation joints
Pipe stress analysis services
Caesar II, AutoPIPE, and ANSYS-backed analysis for MEP contractors, EPC firms, and equipment OEMs.
ASME B31 Code Stress
Sustained, thermal, and occasional load cases per B31.1, B31.3, B31.9 with full allowable comparison and code-stress summary.
Seismic & Dynamic Analysis
Response spectrum and static seismic per ASCE 7-22 §13.6.7, water hammer, slug flow, and PSV reaction force time-history.
Nozzle Load Compliance
API 610 / 617 / 660 and NEMA SM-23 equipment nozzle load checks with iteration of supports, loops, and expansion joints to pass.
PE/SE Stamped Reports
Caesar II / AutoPIPE input listing, load case matrix, support reactions, and stamped report ready for AHJ and HCAI/OSHPD review.
Codes & standards
Power piping (steam, condensate, BOP)
Process piping (chemical, refining, gas)
Building services piping (HVAC, plumbing)
Seismic design of distribution systems
Pump and compressor nozzle load limits
Steam turbine nozzle load limits
Pipe stress analysis — frequently asked questions
What is pipe stress analysis and when is it required?
Pipe stress analysis is the structural evaluation of a piping system under sustained, thermal, occasional (seismic, wind, slug), and displacement loading per ASME B31 codes. It is required when piping operates above ~250 °F, exceeds NPS 3 in critical service, crosses building separation joints, connects to rotating equipment with allowable nozzle loads (API 610, NEMA SM-23), or is part of an HCAI/OSHPD or IBC seismically braced system. The analysis confirms code-allowable stresses, equipment nozzle loads, support reactions, and displacements remain within limits.
Which codes do you analyze pipe stress to?
ASME B31.1 (power piping), B31.3 (process piping), B31.9 (building services), B31.4 (liquid pipelines), and B31.5 (refrigeration). Seismic and wind load cases per ASCE 7-22 Chapters 13 (nonstructural components, including distribution systems) and 26–30. Equipment nozzle load limits per API 610 (centrifugal pumps), API 617 (compressors), API 660 (heat exchangers), and NEMA SM-23 (steam turbines). California hospital piping additionally per CBC, HCAI/OSHPD, and OSHPD PIN 55/68.
What software do you use for pipe stress analysis?
Caesar II (Hexagon) is our primary tool for ASME B31 piping. AutoPIPE (Bentley) for projects already in the OpenPlant ecosystem. ROHR2 for European TÜV submittals. ANSYS Mechanical for nonlinear nozzle FEA and WRC 107/297 local stress checks beyond Caesar II's beam-element fidelity. All deliverables include a stamped report with input echo, allowable comparison, and support load tables.
Do you handle seismic pipe stress analysis for hospitals and OSHPD projects?
Yes. We model the piping with response-spectrum or static seismic per ASCE 7-22 §13.6.7 (distribution systems) and §13.6.8 (HCAI essential facilities), confirm restraint forces against ACI 318-19 Chapter 17 anchor capacities, and deliver brace spacing tables compatible with the OPM-listed bracing system. Differential displacements at building separation joints are checked per §13.3.2.
Can you analyze nozzle loads on rotating equipment (pumps, compressors)?
Yes. Equipment nozzle loads are extracted at every connection and compared to the manufacturer's allowable per API 610 / 617 / NEMA SM-23. Where loads exceed the allowable we iterate spring hangers, expansion loops, expansion joints, or anchor relocation until the system passes — and document the path so the field team can verify installation tolerances.
What deliverables come with a pipe stress analysis report?
A stamped report containing: (1) isometric and stress model with node numbering; (2) input listing — pipe materials, dimensions, temperatures, pressures, supports, anchors; (3) load case matrix (sustained, thermal, occasional, hydrotest); (4) ASME B31 code-stress summary with allowable comparison; (5) support and anchor reaction tables ready for structural attachment design; (6) equipment nozzle load summary vs. allowable; (7) displacement plots and gap checks at penetrations.
How fast can you turn a pipe stress analysis?
Single-loop or short run with known supports: 5–10 business days for a stamped Caesar II report. Mid-size system (50–200 nodes) with iterations: 2–3 weeks. Large industrial or hospital MEP networks: 4–8 weeks with phased deliverables. Send the isometric, line list, and equipment cut sheets — fixed-fee quote in 24 hours.
Need stamped pipe stress calcs?
Send isometrics, line list, and equipment cut sheets. Fixed-fee quote in 24 hours, single-loop turnaround in 5–10 business days.