What loads must be considered in pipe rack design?

Pipe rack design must consider dead loads (pipe weight, insulation, contents, structure self-weight), live loads (cable trays, maintenance access), wind loads per ASCE 7 (velocity pressure on pipes and structure), seismic loads (base shear distributed vertically), thermal loads from pipe expansion, and occasional loads such as hydrotest. These are combined using ASCE 7 LRFD load combinations to determine the governing design case.

What is the typical design load for a pipe rack?

Typical pipe rack design loads range from 35-80 PSF per level for piping, 10-15 PSF for cable trays, and 15-25 PSF for structure self-weight. PIP STC01015 recommends using 40 PSF uniform piping load per level for preliminary design when individual pipe loads are not yet defined. Total gravity loads typically range from 60-120 PSF per level including all components.

How is wind load calculated on a pipe rack?

Wind loads on pipe racks are calculated per ASCE 7. The velocity pressure qz = 0.00256 x Kz x Kzt x Kd x V-squared is applied to the projected area of pipes and structure. For multiple rows of pipes, shielding factors of 0.5-0.7 reduce wind on leeward rows. The exposure category (B, C, or D) determines the velocity pressure coefficient Kz at each elevation.

What deflection limit applies to pipe rack beams?

Pipe rack beams supporting piping are typically limited to L/240 for total load deflection and L/360 for live load deflection per AISC and PIP STC01015. For beams supporting sensitive equipment or instrumentation, L/360 total load may be required. The bay span (typically 20-30 ft) divided by the appropriate limit gives the maximum allowable deflection.

Pipe Rack Loading Calculator | Structural Loads per ASCE 7 & PIP STC01015

Rack Geometry

Pipe Rack Width

Bay Spacing (Beam Span)

Number of Levels

levels

Height to Top Level

Piping Loads

Load Entry Method

Piping Load per Level

PSF

PIP STC01015 recommends 40 PSF for preliminary design

Number of Pipes per Level

pipes

Average Pipe Size (NPS)

Pipe Schedule

Pipe Contents

Insulation Thickness

Additional Loads

Cable Trays

Cable Tray Load per Level

PSF

Steel Grade

Wind Loading (ASCE 7)

Basic Wind Speed (V)

mph

ASCE 7-22 3-second gust. 115 mph typical for Risk Category II

Exposure Category

Seismic Loading

Site Design Spectral Acceleration (S_DS)

From ASCE 7 seismic maps or USGS tool. 0 to skip seismic.

Importance Factor (I_e)

1.0 standard, 1.25 essential, 1.5 hazardous

Pipe Rack Loading Fundamentals

Load Types:
Dead loads (pipe, insulation, contents, structure), live loads (cable trays, maintenance), wind loads (ASCE 7 velocity pressure on projected area), seismic loads (base shear distributed vertically).

Typical Values:
Piping: 35-80 PSF per level
Cable trays: 10-15 PSF
Structure self-weight: 15-25 PSF
Total: 60-120 PSF per level

ASCE 7 Load Combinations (LRFD):
1.4D | 1.2D + 1.6L | 1.2D + 1.0W + L | 1.2D + 1.0E + L | 0.9D + 1.0W | 0.9D + 1.0E. The governing combination determines the required member sizes and foundation reactions.

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Results

Total Column Gravity Load

kips per column

Dead Load per Level -

Dead Load (PSF) -

Total Gravity Load -

Wind Base Shear -

Seismic Base Shear -

Governing Lateral Force -

Overturning Moment -

Foundation Vertical Load -

Foundation Horizontal Load -

Foundation Moment -

Governing Load Combination -

Beam Recommendation -

Column Recommendation -

Beam Deflection Check -

Key Formulas

q_z = 0.00256 K_z K_zt K_d V²

q_z = Velocity pressure at height z (psf)

K_z = Velocity pressure exposure coefficient

K_zt = Topographic factor (1.0 flat terrain)

K_d = Wind directionality factor (0.85)

V = Basic wind speed (mph, 3-sec gust)

V = C_s × W

V = Seismic base shear

C_s = S_DS / (R/I_e)

W = Total seismic weight

R = Response modification (3.0 for pipe racks)

Standards & References

ASCE 7-22
Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures
PIP STC01015
Structural Design Criteria for Pipe Racks
AISC 360
Specification for Structural Steel Buildings
API RP 752
Management of Hazards from Occupied Permanent Buildings

Engineering Notes

Preliminary design: Use 40 PSF per level when pipe details are not yet defined (PIP STC01015)
Hydrotest: Consider water-filled weight for hydrotest condition (occasional load)
Wind shielding: 2nd+ rows of pipes receive 50-70% of windward row load
Deflection limit: L/240 for total load, L/360 for live load per AISC/PIP
Thermal loads: Pipe guides and anchors impose additional lateral loads on pipe rack columns
Pipe supports: Shoes, guides, and anchors must be detailed per pipe stress analysis

Quick Reference — Typical Pipe Weights

6" STD CS + 2" insul + water = ~42 lb/ft
8" STD CS + 2" insul + water = ~62 lb/ft
12" STD CS + 2" insul + water = ~107 lb/ft
16" STD CS + 3" insul + water = ~168 lb/ft
24" STD CS + 3" insul + water = ~330 lb/ft

Pipe Rack Loading Calculator