There are a number of standards worthy of study for this application: BS 4994, BS7159 & ISO 14692. The latter is cetainly the most comprehensive however it does draw on the BS7159 & BS 4994 for details.
GRP is a term for a generic material. Unless it has been designed and manufactured in accordance with one of these standards, or a recognised equivalent, an engineer cannot begin to determine the allowable span. Thus to ask the question of this forum, without comprehensive material information, is inviting the response received.
GRP has anisotropic properties that are time & strain dependent. Designing for GRP is far more complex than metallic materials. It is a complex structure of a thermoset plastic reinforced with glass fibres. Each has their own properties.
If you are not experienced in the design be wary of taking on the responsibility. Many companies using GRP form and alliance with the pipe manufacturer and have the detail design carried out by the manufacturer. This includes the detailed support design.
Local buckling at supports needs carefull attention. The pipe generally has to be kept circular and this requires full circumference supports. Even them local buckling that exceeds the strain limits of the pipe can cause failure.
Coade has some guidance as to how Caesar II handles the design of GRP pipes. Like all mathematical tools if you make mistakes in the boundary conditions, data and assumptions your analysis and design will be flawed.
Geoffrey D Stone FIMEchE C.Eng FIEAust CP Eng Received on Mon Jan 22 16:03:00 2007
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