Pipe stress analysis calculates the stress in a piping system subject to normal operating loads such as pressure, weight, and thermal expansion, and occasional loads such as wind, earthquake, and water hammer. Because all piping systems are connected to equipment such as vessels, tanks, pumps, turbines, and compressors, the piping stress analysis also involves evaluation of the effect of the piping forces and moments to the connecting equipment. As the piping stress is controlled by the arrangement of the supports and restraints, the scope of piping stress includes also pipe supports. The whole scope of this work is generally referred to as piping mechanical.
