Piping Technology & Products, Inc. fabricated 3-piece pipe clamps used to support 97" diameter stainless steel duct work. This duct work is being added to a refinery for an expansion project in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Each section of the clamp assembly is formed from a continuous plate and gussets are added at each of the bolt locations for increased strength and rigidity. Due to the ducts having a relatively thin wall, these clamps are designed wider than necessary in an effort to reduce localized stresses on the duct work. The lower section of each clamp is formed to create a 150° cradle. This acts as a cradle by supporting the duct without inducing extra pressure, which might cause the duct wall to buckle or bend.

The upper sections are formed from 1/2" thick by 12" wide bar stock, whereas the lower sections are formed from 1/2" thick by 18" wide. All three sections are rolled to an inner radius of 48 1/2" and the welded gusset plates are all 1/2" thick. The upper sections are formed at 105° each, and the upper load bolt is 2" in diameter while the six clamping bolts are 1 1/2" in diameter.

The maximum load to be carried by these pipe clamps is 16,888 lb. Each pipe clamp will be used in conjunction with a variable spring support to accommodate movements as high as 2 1/4".

Further information about the different types of structural supports can be found in our Product Section.