Re: Friction Effects in Piping Systems

>A few days ago, a world known consultancy & EPC company suggested us the
>following:

I think that's probably correct, but it may be a matter of judgement in individual cases. I suspect what usually eliminates friction from gravity loading is small movements from momentary vibration and thermal movement. (Small movements that a friend of mine called 'yucking' as in 'The thing will yuck around a little while it settles in place.')

I suspect individual cases, such as high clamping loads which are likely to be constant over time should be assessed on an individual basis. I've always found that you can seldom depend on friction to do what you want and it'll never do what you need.

Christopher Wright P.E.    |"They couldn't hit an elephant at
chrisw@skypoint.com        | this distance"   (last words of Gen.
___________________________| John Sedgwick, Spotsylvania 1864)