Design of Structural Steel Pipe Racks Structural （钢结构管架的设计结构）.pdf

Design of Structural Steel Pipe Racks RICHARD M. DRAKE and ROBERT J. WALTER ABSTRACT Pipe racks are structures in petrochemical, chemical and power plants that are designed to support pipes, power cables and instrument cable trays. They may also be used to support mechanical equipment, vessels and valve access platforms. Pipe racks are non-building structures that have similarities to structural steel buildings. The design requirements found in the building codes are not clear on how they are to be applied to pipe racks. Several industry references exist to help the designer apply the intent of the code and follow expected engineering practices. This paper summarizes the building code and industry practice design criteria, design loads and other design consideration for pipe racks. Keywords: non-building structures, pipe, racks, support, design ipe racks are structures in petrochemical, chemical and To allow maintenance access under the pipe rack, trans- Ppower plants that support pipes, power cables and instru- verse frames (bents) are typically moment-resisting frames ment cable trays. Occasionally, pipe racks may also support that support gravity loads and resist lateral loads transverse mechanical equipment, vessels and valve access platforms. to the pipe rack. See Figure 1 for a typical pipe bent. Al- Pipe racks are also referred to as pipe supports or pipeways. though the bent is shown with i xed base columns, it can also Main pipe racks transfer material between equipment and be constructed with pinned base columns if the supported storage or utility areas. Storage racks found in warehouse piping can tolerate the lateral displacement. stores are not pipe racks, even if they store lengths of piping. The transverse frames are typ