A literature on “Cold Springing (Cold Pull) In Piping
Systems”
Definition of Cold Spring:
1. Cold spring is the process of intentional deformation (usually accomplished by
cutting short or long the pipe runs between two anchors) of piping during
assembly to produce a desired initial displacement and stress.
2. Cold spring is the intentional stressing and elastic deformation of the piping
system during the erection cycle to permit the system to attain reactions that
are more favourable and stresses in the operating condition.
Why Cold Spring?
Cold Spring can help to –
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Reduce the hot stresses to mitigate the creep damage.
Reduce the hot reaction forces on connecting equipment.
Control the movement space.
Actual use of Cold Spring –
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The general belief is that the additional creep damage caused by the initial
thermal expansion stress (due to cold pull) is insignificant if the total expansion
stress range is checked within the allowable limit. In addition, code does not
allow us to take advantage of cold spring in reducing stresses.
The control of the movement space is secondary.
Thus, the real gain of cold spring has become the reduction of the hot reaction
on the connected equipment.
System without Cold Spring Vs System with Cold Spring:
Fig. 1: System without Cold Spring Vs System with Cold Spring
End Reaction at Design Temperature (as per B31.3):
Fig. 2: End Reaction at Design Temperature (as per B31.3)
End Reaction at Installation Temperature (as per B31.3):
Fig. 3: End Reaction at Installation Temperature (as per B31.3)
Cold Spring as per B31.3:
1. Use of the above equations is valid for a two-anchor piping system without
intermediate restraints
2. For multi-anchor piping systems and for two-anchor systems with intermediate
restraints above equations (21 and 22 as per B31.3) are not applicable.
3. Each case must be studied to estimate location, nature, extent of local
overstrain, and its effect on stress distribution and reactions.
4. Code allows us to apply cold spring credit in calculating the thrusts and moments
where actual reactions as well as their range of variations are significant.
5. Code restricts us form applying cold spring credit in stress range calculations.
This is because; the piping system is affected more by the range of stress
variation than by the magnitude of stress at given time.
6. Where cold spring is used in the piping system, experience has shown that it
cannot be fully assured. Therefore, the reactions shall be computed for two
cases. First, with the assumption that only two-thirds of the design cold spring is
present, and second, with the assumption that four-thirds of design cold spring is
present. That effectively suggests us to calculate and compare the end reactions
from couple of Caesar runs. First being one with only two-thirds of the cold
spring and another using four-thirds. The results in both cases should be
satisfactory. This is especially valid for computer analysis.
Both the sustained loads and the operating loads should be within manufactures
allowable for the particular piece of equipment.
Cold Spring factor (C):
Following procedure explains how to get cold spring factor –
1. Understand the system and decide in which direction application of cold spring
will give us maximum benefit.
2. Get the maximum displacement corresponding to the direction in which cold
spring is planned. This can be found out from displacement report using Caesar
II.
3. The factor is then decided by the amount of cold spring applied to the system
with respect to the expansion.
4. A 100 percent cold sprung system will have zero load in expansion case.
For Example: - If we have 80mm displacement during hot condition in say Y direction
and we decide to give 40 mm of cold spring then it shall be a 50% cold sprung system.
Hence cold spring factor will be 0.5