The term “Pipe Stress Engineer” as used in this document refers to that person responsible for insuring that the pipe routing done by the piping layout designer is consistent with the allowables in the applicable piping Code. This includes; the thermal forces and the live and dead loads the piping system imposes on equipment, equipment nozzles and structures. The Pipe Stress Engineer is also responsible for the selecting and specifying stress related products including various types of Expansion Joints, Constant Support Spring Hangers and Snubbers or Struts.
What does the Pipe Stress Engineer need to know?
Pipe Stress Engineering is more than just knowing how to turn on the Analysis software in the computer, how to find the menus and the difference between pass and fail. So, appropriately, what else does the Pipe Stress Engineer need to know about piping?
Here is a list of the most basic of things that a good Pipe Stress Engineer should know. Thinking about every one of these items should become as natural as breathing for a good Pipe Stress Engineer.
- Piping Codes – All Pipe Stress Engineers need to know about the applicable Piping Codes for the different types of Process Plants and have access to the most up-to-date copy so the proper data is used and proper decisions can be made for the calculations and the good of the project.
- Pipe, Fittings, Flanges and Valves – All Pipe Stress Engineers need to know and understand the broad spectrum of items that make up the “vocabulary” of the piping language. This includes the many types of fittings, the many different schedules, the wide variety of common piping materials, the flange class ratings and the types of the different valve designs.
