Preoperational testing procedure for vibration of piping systems

For power plant piping, the governing codes and regulations require that the effects of piping vibration be considered at both design and testing stages of plant development. Although various type of vibration can be adequately predicted and analyzed at the plant design stage, most piping is qualified for vibration during the plant testing. The purpose of these tests is to confirm that the piping systems and supports have been adequately designed to withstand the flow induced dynamic loadings under operational transient and steady-state conditions anticipated during service. A preoperational program for vibration testing of power plant piping systems is therefore necessary. This paper presents an inspection procedure. It aims at avoiding the necessity of local geometry assessment by the inspector, at defining where to measure first and how to extend measurements in case of a significant vibration level and at precising the acquisition method. Acceptance criteria account for pipe stresses and support loads