Load Cases for Pipe Stress Analysis: Caesar II Load Cases

Piping Stress Analysis is simply creating the load cases required for analysis and studying the impact of the same on the behavior of the critical piping systems. A load case can be defined as a set of loads (Weight, Pressure, Temperature, External Forces, Displacements, etc) and boundary conditions for defining a particular loading condition. So Stress Analysis can not be thought of without proper load case creation. Sometimes these load cases are mentioned in the piping stress analysis design basis. In this article, we will learn the basic load cases that are required for stress analysis activity.

Objectives of Pipe Stress Analysis:

The main objectives of stress analysis are to ensure:

  1. Structural Integrity (Design adequacy for the pressure of the carrying fluid, Failure against various loading in the life cycle, and Limiting stresses below code allowable.)
  2. Operational Integrity (Limiting nozzle loads of the connected equipment within allowable values, Avoiding leakage at joints, Limiting sagging & displacement within allowable values.)
  3. Optimal Design (Avoiding excessive flexibility and also high loads on supporting structures. Aim towards an optimal design for both piping and structure.)

Notations Used for Load Cases in Caesar II

To meet these objectives several load cases are required during stress analysis. In this article we will use the following notations for building load cases:

  • WW=water filled weight of the piping/pipeline system,
  • HP=Hydrotest Pressure,
  • W=Weight of pipe including content and insulation,
  • P1=Internal Design pressure,
  • T1=Maximum Design temperature,
  • T2=Maximum Operating temperature,
  • T3= Minimum Design temperature,
  • WIN1, WIN2, WIN3, WIN4: wind loads acting in some specific direction,
  • U1, U2, U3, U4: uniform (seismic) loads acting in some specific direction.
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Basic Load Cases for Caesar II Pipe Stress Analysis:

For Stress analysis in Caesar II, Various Load case combinations are used which serve several purposes. While analysis at a minimum, the stress check is required for the below-mentioned cases:

a. Hydrotesting case:

Piping/ Pipeline systems are normally hydro tested (sometimes pneumatic tested) before the actual operation to ensure the absence of leakage. Water is used as the testing medium. So during this situation pipe will be subjected to water weight and hydro-test pressure.
Accordingly, our first load case will be as mentioned below

1WW+HP HYD

b. Operating and ALT Sustained load cases:

When the operation starts working fluid will flow through the piping at a temperature and pressure. Alt Sustained cases are used as Hot Sustained cases which means sustained stress that the system carries during operation. So accordingly our operating load cases will be as mentioned below:

2W+T1+P1 OPE For operating temperature case at maximum design temperature
3W+P1 SUS Alt Sustained case based on operating case 1 (T1)
4W+T2+P1 OPE For a maximum system operating temperature case
5W+P1 SUS Alt Sustained case based on operating case 1 (T2)
6W+T3+P1 OPE For minimum system temperature case
7W+P1 SUS Alt Sustained case based on operating case 1 (T3)

c.  Sustained Load Case:

Sustained loads will exist throughout the plant operation. Weight and pressure are known as sustained loads.  So our sustained load case will be as follows:

8. W+P1 SUS

d. Occasional Load Cases: 

Piping may be subjected to occasional wind and seismic forces. So to check stresses in those situations we have to build the following load cases:

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9W+T2+P1+WIN1 OPEConsidering wind from +X direction
10W+T2+P1+WIN2 OPEConsidering wind from -X direction
11W+T2+P1+WIN3 OPEConsidering wind from +Z direction
12W+T2+P1+WIN4   OPEConsidering wind from -Z direction
13W+T2+P1+U1 OPEConsidering seismic from +X direction
14W+T2+P1-U1 OPEConsidering seismic from -X direction
15W+T2+P1+U2   OPEConsidering seismic from +Z direction
16W+T2+P1-U2 OPEConsidering seismic from -Z direction

While stress analysis the above load cases from load case 9 to load case 16 are generated only to check loads at node points. Figure 1 shows typical load cases that should be generated during stress analysis

Typical Load Cases
Fig. 1: Typical Load Cases

To find occasional stresses we need to add pure occasional cases with sustained load and then compare them with code allowable values. The following sets of load cases are built for that purpose.

17L9-L4 OCC Pure wind from +X direction
18L10-L4 OCC Pure wind from -X direction
19L11-L4 OCC Pure wind from +Z direction
20L12-L4 OCC Pure wind from -Z direction
21L13-L4 OCC Pure seismic from +X direction
22L14-L4 OCC Pure seismic from -X direction
23L15-L4 OCC Pure seismic from +Z direction
24L16-L4 OCC Pure seismic from -Z direction
25L17+L8 OCC Pure wind+Sustained
26L18+L8 OCC Pure wind+Sustained
27L19+L8 OCC Pure wind+Sustained
28L20+L8 OCC Pure wind+Sustained
29L21+L8 OCC Pure seismic+Sustained
30L22+L8 OCC Pure seismic+Sustained
31L23+L8 OCC Pure seismic+Sustained
32L24+L8 OCC Pure seismic+Sustained

Load cases from 25 to 32 will be used for checking occasional stresses with respect to code ASME B31.3 allowable (=1.33 times Sh value from code). Use scalar combination for load cases 25 to 32 above and algebraic combination for others as shown in Fig. 2 attached below:

Load Case Combination
Fig. 2: Load Case combination

e. Expansion Cases:

Following load cases are required for checking the expansion stress range as per the code

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33L2-L8 EXP
34L4-L8 EXP
35L6-L8 EXP
36L2-L6 EXP

The above load cases (from 33 to 36) are used to check the expansion stress range

The above-mentioned load cases are the minimum required load cases to analyze any stress system. Out of the above load cases, the load cases mentioned in load case numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 25-36 are used for stress checks. And cases mentioned in load case numbers 1, 2, 4, and 6 to 16 are used for checking restraint forces, displacements, and nozzle load checking.

Few additional load cases may be required for PSV-connected systems, systems having surge or slug forces, and rotary equipment-connected systems.

Seismic and Wind analysis may not be required every time. So those load cases can be deleted if the piping system does not fall under the purview of wind and seismic analysis by project specification.  However to perform wind and seismic analysis proper related data must have to be entered in the Caesar II spreadsheet.

If the stress system involves the use of imposed displacements (D) and forces (F) then those have to be added with the above load cases in the form of D1, D2, or F1, F2 as applicable.

Better Engineering Practices for Stress Analysis

It is a better practice to keep:

  • Hydro and sustained stresses below 60% of the code allowable
  • Expansion and occasional stresses below 80% of the code allowable
  • Sustained and Hydrotest sagging below 10 mm for process lines and below 3 mm for steam, two-phase, flare lines, and free-draining lines.
  • Design/Maximum displacement below 75 mm for unit piping and below 200 mm in rack piping.

Video Tutorial for Load case Creation in Caesar II

The following video tutorial explains the load case creation steps with an example

Caesar II Load Case Video tutorial

To get more insight on Caesar II load cases, Please click here to view a recorded webinar for learning from the Caesar II experts

Some more resources for you!

Piping Stress Analysis using Caesar II
Piping Stress Analysis using Start-Prof
Piping Materials
Piping Design Software


References (External Links):

Anup Kumar Dey

I am a Mechanical Engineer turned into a Piping Engineer. Currently, I work in a reputed MNC as a Senior Piping Stress Engineer. I am very much passionate about blogging and always tried to do unique things. This website is my first venture into the world of blogging with the aim of connecting with other piping engineers around the world.

39 thoughts on “Load Cases for Pipe Stress Analysis: Caesar II Load Cases

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  4. Very helpful article for beginers. thanks.

    Can you please throw light on Startup, shut down & upset load cases for Column piping analysis using CAESAR II.

  5. Thanks for your article. What about externally imposed displacements from wind or seismic cases per B31.3 par. 319.2.1 (c)? Those displacements seem not to be typically considered. Not just with your example, but in pretty much every model that I’ve seen this code requirement is not followed. Why not? In your example, you omitted the requirement to do L2-L3 and L2-L4. Displacement and range cases all start from ambient. In reality, standby lines often become operational with thermal load and fluid contents load, but those lines are not starting from ambient, they are coming into a system which has already displaced due to thermal and weight loads. How to consider lines starting and shutting down within an operational system that has already displaced?

    Same with shutdown. Removal of thermal and pressure load starts from a displaced position, not ambient starting point

  6. Can any one tell me for checking occasional load cases, which temperature to be considered. Max. Design temperature or Operating. And is it compulsory that vales which we put in T1 and P1 in Caesar should be max. of all values.

    1. It will be informed by the client of the project. Normally operating temperature is considered along with occasional loads.

  7. I have read some just right stuff here. Definitely value bookmarking
    for revisiting. I surprise how so much attempt you set to make this kind of magnificent
    informative website.

    1. Add U3 for Y direction.
      10.W+T1+P1+U1 OPE Considering seismic from +X direction
      11. W+T1+P1-U1 OPE Considering seismic from -X direction
      12 W+T1+P1+U2 OPE Considering seismic from +Z direction
      13 W+T1+P1-U2 OPE Considering seismic from -Z direction

    2. Add U3 in load case as following,
      10. W+T1+P1+U1 OPE Considering seismic from +X direction
      11. W+T1+P1-U1 OPE Considering seismic from -X direction
      12 W+T1+P1+U2 OPE Considering seismic from +Z direction
      13 W+T1+P1-U2 OPE Considering seismic from -Z direction
      14. W+T1+P1+U3 OPE Considering seismic from +Y direction
      15. W+T1+P1-U3 OPE Considering seismic from -Y direction

  8. Dear,
    I have a doubt :
    “Load case 33. L3-L4 EXP for complete stress range”
    EXP for complete stress range is L2-L4 right ?
    plz confirm

    1. L3-L4 is complete stress range for the mentioned load cases. It has to be max design temp-min design temp. Here T2 is max temp.

  9. What if both seismic and displacement (thermal displacement & tank settlement) are required to add in load case, how I should add for displacement?
    Should I add D1(thermal displacement) & D3 (tank settlement) together with U1 & U2 ?

  10. Keep up the good work. This is very informative. Thanks for sharing. I am keen learner of stress analysis as I m a piping engineer. Nowadays I m regularly following your posts. Thanks again.

  11. Hi want2learn,

    Since this is a typical must have cases, it would be better if hangers already be considered. I think CAESAR would run it even if the model does not have hangers.

  12. Since this is a typical must have cases, it would be better if spring hangers (HGR) already be considered . I think CAESAR would run it even if the model does not have hangers.

  13. Hiii…..
    Can we use T1 as a (delta T) temp difference between max temp and min temp in cyclic case & then for full EXP case- L2-L5 ???

    Thanks in advance.

  14. For anyone reading this in 2019, CAESAR II also has the WNC primative for load cases, which is weight no contents. In addition, now you no longer need to delete and re-enter load cases. We have a new Excel template you can import in all your load cases. We also have the ability to skip or bypass any load case from your analysis. Be sure to check this out in CAESAR II 2019. From CAESAR II 2018, you can delete any load case and the software automatically renumbers, showing you any dependent cases and what your deletion will change There have been so many great new features added to the Load Case Editor in the last 2-3 releases! Check it out! Stephanie

  15. here, L33~L36 are wrong. it should be as below.

    L33 L2-L8
    L34 L4-L8
    L35 L6-L8
    L36 L4-L6

    for L33 ~ L35, for first term, I guess those are simple typos. for second term, refer to CII user’s manual(2018), ‘Understanding Alternate Sustained (SUS) and Occasional (OCC) Load Cases’, example at p.553.
    L1 : OPE
    L2 : Alt-SUS
    L3 : SUS
    and
    L6 : L1-L3 (OPE-SUS), not L1-L2(OPE-ALt-SUS)

    and L36, this is thought to be simple typo as well.

      1. Hi Anup,

        Thanks for the article.
        Why the expansion loads are not used for designing pipe supports? Any reasoning behind it?

        Aravind

  16. Hi Anup,

    1) Should the same load cases be applied at EN-13480
    2) When checking nozzle loads against equipment allowables, should we consider occasional load scenarios (wind/seismic) or simple operating and design? (my case is a heat exchanger)

    thanks for another nice article

    1. 1. I don’t have any idea regarding EN-13480 code. The mentioned load cases are for ASME B31.3 codes. But i feel these load cases will roughly be similar only.
      2. Usually, occasional loads are not considered for nozzle load checking. However, if your project specification says to do so you have to follow that.

  17. Hey, i’m doing stress analysis of underground district heating system with maximum operating (design) temperature od 130C. So, in practice before backfilling of the trench the pipelines are heated to 70C with burners, and while they are hot they are burried. This should lower the expansion stresses on operating temperature, but i don’t know how to simulate this pre-stress technique in Caesar. The ends of the straight parts of the pipelines are sheathed with cushions to allow some flexibilty, i try to simulate this by removing restraints on the elbows and placing guides with gaps. The code is EN 13480.
    Anyway, if anyone has any experience with this i would be very thankful.
    Respect.

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