Elastic-plastic Finite Element Analysis of Piping Support Structures Subjected to Cyclic Load

Abstract

This study aims to develop a new seismic design methodology incorporating elastic-plastic response analysis of piping systems, including piping support structures. An elastic-plastic finite element analysis model was constructed for piping support structures. A gate-type piping support structure was analyzed using ANSYS software. The analysis result was compared with experimental data to improve model accuracy. Because there was a discrepancy in the load-displacement relationship between the experimental result and the analytical result, the boundary conditions at loading points were re-examined. Consequently, the maximum reaction force and the load-displacement relationship of the gate-type support structure showed good agreement with the experimental result.