Pipe Support Span & Weight

The largest support span allowed by stress and by deflection, the load per support, and the pipe weight.

Unit system

Inputs

Pipe sizeScheduleMaterialSteam pressure (absolute)

Pipe contentsThe span is set for OPERATION, but the support must also carry a water-filled pipe during the hydrostatic test.Insulation weight (kg/m)

Allowable deflection

2.5 mm is the classic limit, set to preserve the fall of the line and stop water pockets forming.

Maximum support span

4,559mm

Governing criterion

DEFLECTION governs — the fall of the line must be kept or water pockets and hammer follow

By stress	14,258 mm
By deflection	4,559 mm
Total weight (kg/m)	28.12
Pipe weight (kg/m)	16.08
Water-filled weight — for the test (kg/m)	36.27
Load per support (N)	1,257
Load per support in test (N)	1,622

The pipe is treated as a simply supported beam rather than a continuous one — the safe side; on a real multi-span line the allowable span is somewhat larger.
A steam line is not empty when it matters: during the hydrostatic test the WATER-FILLED weight applies and the support must carry that too.
Concentrated weights such as valves, flanges and expansion joints are not included; they get their own supports.

A PDF carrying the inputs, results, assumptions and the source. A one-time code is sent to your address.

Results are for engineering pre-assessment and are not a product selection commitment. Final responsibility rests with the user.