| Applies To | |
| Product(s): | AutoPIPE |
| Version(s): | ALL; |
| Area: | Modeling |
| Date Logged & Current Version |
Oct. 2017 11.01.00.23 |
Problem:
How to model a Roller Support in AutoPIPE?
Solution:
Typically used for support of piping where axial movement due to expansion and contraction often occur. The roller reduces wearing of support or pipe surfaces that would otherwise be worn away due to direct rubbing of metal surfaces against one another.
Roller supports are available in a many different configurations to meet design criteria. List out the design criteria of your roller support?
a. Axial movement
b. Lateral movement
c. Vertical movement
d. Rotational movement
How to model this type of roller support?
Identify the support criteria:
a. Axial restraint - minimal amount of resistance due to the roller.
b. Lateral restraint - the cradle caused by the curve of the roller where the pipe sits provide a minimal amount of lateral restraint. With a certain amount of lateral force, the pipe can easily pop out of the cradle area and have no resistance to movement.
c. Vertical restraint - able to move up but cannot move down
d. Rotational restraint - essentially no rotational restraint in any direction
In AutoPIPE insert a support, on the support dialog, select the Help button. Here the user will see a chart of all the different type of supports and respective bearing directions the can be used in the program. Using one or more supports together, model the support:
Option #1: Model as a V stop with Large gap up, with small friction factor
Option #2: Model as an Incline with large gap up, with small friction factor
Option #3: Model as a Guide support with the appropriate gaps in all direction and small friction factor
In actuality, roller supports by themselves provide a small amount of lateral restraint due to the shape of the pipe roller. Option #1 or #2 above assumes that the pipe is free to move on the horizontal plane with only friction restricting movement. If using option #3, user is able to set a support gap limiting lateral movement but pipe will be free to move on the horizontal plane with only friction restricting movement until a support gap closes.
See Also