The Pipe Support Blog

Custom Sway Braces with Ball Joints for a Refinery

28 sway braces were custom designed from a combination of carbon steel and A-5160 spring steel. Custom design and fabrication was required due to the design loads and movements exceeding the largest standard sway brace assembly. The application required ball joint ends because the angle of incline exceeded the maximum five degree angle. The largest of the sway braces was designed for an operating load of 10,000 lb. with a travel range of 5" in either compression or extension. Each sway brace was load and travel tested prior to shipping to ensure functionality throughout the entire travel range.

Do you require custom or standard sway braces in your plant? Get pricing today!

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Custom Sway Brace Supports

The sway braces will be used in pairs to support a 72" diameter cooling tower supply line via a common attachment point. The internal components and housing are fabricated from carbon steel, and A-5160 spring steel was used for the coil. Each sway brace has a spring rate of 10,100 lb/in. with an overall available travel of 3". The adjustable ends are configured so that one end bracket is interlocked with the mating end bracket of its sister sway brace; therefore, enabling them to be connected to the pipe by a single lug.

Do you require sway braces for an upcoming project? Let us price them for you today!

Sway Braces for Petroleum Company in Louisiana

Piping Technology & Products, Inc. specially designed and fabricated ten sway braces, with total travel distance of 14, for a petroleum company in Louisiana.

The standard PT&P braces have springs that allow 3 of total travel distance. These sway braces were custom designed to provide total travel distance of 5 and 14. The center-to-center dimensions ranged from 92¼" to 115" with internal supports to prevent buckling. The desired spring rates for the sway braces were 450 lb./in. and 1350 lb./in. The custom sway brace assemblies comprised of pipes (for spring housing), springs (sizes dependent on spring rate and total travel) and in some cases, ball joints.

Do you need sway braces for an upcoming project? Request a price quote today!