SPED Stress Analysis & Mechanical Integrity 3

Question 1

Which failure mode is addressed by checking the sustained stress ratio (SL/Sh) in ASME B31.3?

Accepted Answer

Plastic collapse under sustained loads

Answer

The sustained stress check ensures the pipe will not undergo plastic collapse or excessive deformation under continuously applied pressure and weight loads.

Question 2

When a piping system has high vibration levels, which type of support is most commonly added to mitigate dynamic response?

Accepted Answer

Snubber (shock arrestor)

Answer

Snubbers allow slow thermal movements but lock up and resist rapid dynamic loads such as vibration, water hammer, or seismic events.

Question 3

In Caesar II or similar piping analysis software, what does a 'restraint report' typically identify?

Accepted Answer

Forces, moments, and deflections at each support point

Answer

Restraint reports summarize the loads imposed on each support, which are used to design the structural steel and evaluate equipment nozzle loads.

Question 4

Which piping code primarily governs stress analysis of high-pressure steam piping in power plants?

Accepted Answer

ASME B31.1 Power Piping

Answer

ASME B31.1 applies to power piping including steam, feedwater, and other services in power-generation facilities.

Question 5

A pipe stress engineer discovers that the calculated sustained stress exceeds the allowable. Which corrective action is most effective?

Accepted Answer

Relocate or add pipe supports to reduce bending moments from weight

Answer

Adding or repositioning supports reduces the unsupported span and the bending moments from gravity loads, directly lowering sustained bending stress.

(SPED) Society of Piping Engineers and Designers Certification Practice Test

(SPED) Society of Piping Engineers and Designers Certification Practice Test

SPED Stress Analysis & Mechanical Integrity 3