Seismic analysis of pipelines with yielding supports

Includes bibliography.Pipelines in structures such as a nuclear reactor can be analysed separately when the structure is subjected to seismic type loading. The pipeline is modelled with various types of supports, such as a rigid support or an elastic support. The pipeline is analysed and designed so that stresses in the pipeline and at the supports are acceptable. When the pipeline is subjected to a larger intensity earthquake than that designed for, the stresses at some supports may exceed the yield stresses, causing the support to yield. The yielding of a support can influence the response at the other supports in the pipeline, and in some cases cause failure of the supports to occur. This thesis investigates the effect yielding of an internal pipe hangar support in a two-span pipeline has on the adjacent end supports. Essentially the findings are that the yielding of the pipe hangar support is not detrimental to the overall stability of the pipeline, as long as the support does not yield excessively