On multiaxial strain characteristics of piping systems subjected to earthquake loads

Morishita, Masaki ; Otani, Akihito*

The JSME Code Case N-CC-008 provides design rules for piping seismic design by inelastic response analysis and strain-based fatigue criteria. The Code Case uses the Rainflow method for cycle counting. The Rainflow method is used for identifying pairs of peaks/valleys of the representative strain and their occurrence times. On the other hand, ASME Code reads "The Rainflow cycle counting method is recommended but not applicable for non-proportional loading." The authors analyzed the behavior of multi-axial strain of piping systems to test the non-proportionality. The analysis results showed that the multi-axial strain in piping systems induced by seismic excitation is almost proportional. Based on this result, the authors concluded that the Rainflow cycle counting method is well applicable for the piping seismic fatigue evaluation. In addition to these numerical analyses with the IS method, some discussions are also made in this paper from the viewpoint of the relation between vibration mode and strain components to support the conclusion that the piping strain by seismic loads is proportional.