SCOPE

1.1

This practice covers the loads for the design of support structures, equipment and
other facilities. The loads include gravity (dead and live) loads, process-generated
loads, wind and earthquake.

1.2

An asterisk () indicates that additional information is required. If a job is contracted,

this additional information is furnished in the Job Specifications.

2.1

2.2

Table 1 lists the specification codes and standards which shall be used as specified in
this practice.
Table 2 lists the standards and practices which shall be used with this practice as
applicable.

SUMMARY OF ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

TABLE 1
STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS
ASCE Standard / Guidelines
ASCE-7 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Structures
ASCE Petrochemical Energy Reports
Wind Loads and Anchor Bolts for Petrochemical Facilities, 1997 (ASCE Stock # 40262)
Guidelines for Seismic Evaluation and Design of Petrochemical Facilities, 1997 (ASCE Stock # 40264)
ICBO (International Conference of Building Officials)
Uniform Building Code (UBC) - Structural Design Provisions

TABLE 2
PRACTICE
IP 4-1-4

Surge Vibration Design Loads

STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS

ACI Standard
318 Building Code Requirements for Reinforced Concrete
API Standards
620 Recommended Rules for Design and Construction of Large, Welded, Low Pressure Storage Tanks
650 Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage

2.3

Local codes and standards may be substituted for the ones referenced herein
provided the following provisions are met:
a.
The resultant design meets the safety and serviceability criteria attained
through this practice.
b.
Substitution is accepted by the authorities where the facility is to be located
and by the Owner's Engineer.

DESIGN

GENERAL
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3.1.

The following basic loads that shall be considered in the structural design include:
a.
b.

Dead loads
Live loads

c.

Operating loads including fluid, impact, piping restraint, surge vibration,

thermal, and vibration loads.

d.
e.

Maintenance loads include bundle pull loads.

Environmental loads including earthquake, snow, ice, rain, and wind loads.

f.

Construction loads including erection forces and transportation loads.

3.2

Basic loads shall be as defined in ASCE-7 except as clarified and supplemented

below:
a.
Live loads include the following loads:
1.
2.

3.3

Personnel, portable machinery, tools and equipment.

Material to be temporarily stored during maintenance, such as
exchanger parts, pipe and fittings, valves.
3.
Material normally stored during operation such as tools, maintenance
equipment, catalyst and chemicals.
4.
Non-fluidized solid material, catalyst and other material in the piping
and equipment during operation.
b.
Fluid loads are the gravity loads resulting from liquid or fluidized solid
materials in equipment and piping during operation or hydrotest.
c.
Piping restraint loads are forces on pipe anchors and guides resulting from
thermal expansion, surge or internal pressure of the piping.
d.
Impact loads are loads which account for the dynamic effects from moving
equipment such as traveling cranes, elevators, hoists, and vehicular traffic.
e.
Bundle pull load is force resulting from the removal of a tube bundle from a
heat exchanger.
f.
Surge vibration loads are lateral inertia forces caused by the surging action
of fluidized solids.
g.
Erection loads are temporary loads caused by the erection and construction
of structures and equipment, such as loading from guy rigging, shoring, etc.
h.
Transportation loads are inertial loads caused by the movement of structures
and equipment from a fabrication site to the installation site.
Basic loads shall be determined according to the applicable codes and standards
listed in Tables 1 and 2 as modified or supplemented herein. For locations unfamiliar
with referenced standards and codes in Table 1, Section 2 (Design Loads) of the
Exxon Civil Engineering Design Guide, TMEE022, provides a summary of the relevant
requirements from these codes for petrochemical facilities.

LIVE LOADS
R

3.4

Minimum live loads which shall be used to design structural elements and
appurtenances shall be per ASCE-7 except as modified herein:

COMPONENT DESIGN

LOADED AREA

a. Floor Plate, Grating and Slabs

b. Floor Framing and Bracing

c. Columns and Brackets

d. Roof (Sloped or Flat)

MINIMUM LIVE LOAD

1.

Walkways and Access Platforms

100 psf (488 kg/m2)

2.

Platforms for Operating Storage or

Maintenance Storage Loads.

125 psf (610 kg/m2)

1.

Walkways and Access Platforms

60 psf (293 kg/m2) or a Moving

Concentrated Load of 1000 lb (454 kg)(1)

2.

Platforms for Operating Storage or

Maintenance Storage Loads.

125 psf (610 kg/m2)

1.

Walkways and Access Platforms

60 psf (293 kg/m2) or a Moving

Concentrated Load of 1000 lb (454 kg)(1)

2.

Platforms for Operating Storage or

Maintenance Storage Loads.

125 psf (610 kg/m2)

20 psf (98 kg/m2)

Note:
(1)

May be reduced for members having an influence area greater than 400 ft2 (37 m2),
per ASCE-7.

WIND LOADS
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3.5

Wind loads shall be calculated based on procedures provided in ASCE-7 with the
following additions/clarifications.
a.

Basic wind speed (V) and importance factor (I) shall be as specified by the
Owner.

b.

Exposure Category C shall be used unless the terrain condition of the site
justifies a different exposure category subject to the approval of the Owner.

c.

Gust effect factors for flexible building and structures may be calculated by
alternate methods acceptable to the Owner. A building or structure shall be
considered flexible only if it has a fundamental natural frequency less than
1Hz.

d.

Force coefficients (Cf) for typical petrochemical facilities not specifically

covered by ASCE-7, such as, multiple-bay open-frame structures containing
equipment, pipe racks, vessel with appurtenances, etc., shall be determined
based on guidelines provided in ASCE report on "Wind Load on Petrochemical
Facilities."
The total wind force on equipment, support structures may be determined as
the sum of the forces on each component in the structure. Components shall
include: equipment and supports (without considering shielding), piping,
structural framing, ladders, stairs and other miscellaneous objects attached to
the structure. However, the total force due to wind for an ordinary structure
need not exceed that of an enclosed structure that would completely envelope
the structure and attachments.

e.

EARTHQUAKE LOADS
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3.6

Earthquake loads for structures shall be calculated and applied in accordance with
ASCE-7 or UBC with the following additions/clarifications:
a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

Site specific seismic design parameters as appropriate for the applicable

code/standard shall be as specified by the Owner. These parameters, where
applicable, shall include:
1.

Effective peak acceleration coefficient (A a), effective peak, velocitybased acceleration coefficient (Av), and Soil Profile Type per ASCE-7.

2.

Seismic zone factor (Z), Importance factor (I), Site coefficient (S)based on type of soil profile, per the UBC.

3.

Peak ground motion values to determine seismic response spectrum

for dynamic analysis, when appropriate.

Load factors applied to earthquake loads shall be consistent with the

strength (limit states) design or allowable stress design method, as
appropriate.
Values of seismic response parameters for petrochemical facilities not
specifically covered in ASCE-7, UBC or similar code shall be based on ASCE
report "Guidelines for Seismic Evaluation and Design of Petrochemical
Facilities."
When earthquake loads are determined according to the UBC, the minimum
value of the seismic parameter C/Rw, for non-building structures shall be taken
as 0.25.
When earthquake loads are determined according to ASCE-7, the base shear
(V), for non-building structures shall be taken as V = 0.375 AaW, where W is
the appropriate weight of the structure.
When a dynamic analysis is required by the applicable code, it shall be based
on the seismic response spectrum method to determine the earthquake forces
and structural response.

3.7

Earthquake load for tanks designed according to API 650 and API 620, shall be per
the seismic provisions provided in the Appendices of those standards.

3.8

Fluid loads shall be based on the maximum level of fluid during operation and shall be
considered as dead loads in determining the applicable load factor or safety factor.

PROCESS LOADS
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3.9

3.10

Vibration loads shall be based on process design or equipment specifications, or

manufacturer data whichever is governing. They shall be considered as live loads in
the selection of load factors or safety factors in the applicable load combinations.
Surge vibration loads for support structures and vessels for fluid-solids shall be per
IP 4-1-4.

3.11

Impact loads for hoist and equipment handling facilities shall be as follows:
a.

Impact load shall be considered as live load in the selection of load factors or
safety factors in the applicable load combinations.

b.

Vertical, lateral, and longitudinal impact loads on the supports for moving
bridge cranes, trolleys and davits, and monorail cranes shall be per ASCE-7.

c.

3.12

3.13

Davits (exclusive of manhole davits) shall be designed for the weight (mass) of
the heaviest piece of equipment that they may be required to lift, plus the
weight of rigging equipment, plus the impact load, but not less than a total load
of 1000 lb (454 kg). Design shall be based on use of a single sheave pulley
block. All davits shall be legibly marked with the safe working load (SWL).
d.
Impact loads for other moving equipment shall be determined in conjunction
with the equipment manufacturer.
Thermal loads shall be considered for support structures, foundations and elements
thereof based on the effects of differential temperature, and shall reflect the following:
a.
Thermal loads shall be considered as dead load in the selection of load factors
or safety factors in the applicable load combinations.
b.
Thermal effects shall be based on the difference between ambient or
equipment design temperature and the installed temperature, whichever is
more severe.
Forces due to sliding friction shall be based on the following coefficients of static
friction:
a.
b.

PTFE on PTFE:
Steel on Steel:

0.10
0.40

c.

Steel on Concrete:

0.45

d.

3.14

3.15

The coefficient of static friction for use on proprietary sliding surfaces and
coatings shall be per the manufacturers specification and is subject to
Owners approval.
Pipe anchor and guide loads produced from thermal movement, internal pressure,
and surge shall be considered. Such loads shall be treated as dead load but need not
be combined with wind or earthquake loads.

MAINTENANCE LOADS
Bundle pull loads shall be considered for structures and foundations supporting heat
exchangers subjected to bundle pulling during maintenance based on the following:
a.

b.
c.

Bundle pull load shall be a longitudinal force equal to 100% of the tube bundle
weight, but not less than 2000 lb (900 kg), applied at the centroid of the tube
bundle.
Bundle pull load shall be considered as a live load.
Bundle pull force (shear) shall be assumed transmitted by only one (either)
shell support, unless specified otherwise.

CONSTRUCTION LOADS
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3.16

Erection loads shall be determined in conjunction with the erection contractor and
equipment manufacturer.

3.17

Transportation loads for structures and equipment shall be as follows:

a.
Transportation loads for sea going transport shall be based on the most
extreme conditions from a minimum 10 year seasonal storm for the worst part
of the route. Roll, pitch and heave motion response of the barge/ship shall be
developed in conjunction with the transportation contractor.
b.
Transportation loads shall be considered as environmental loads for the
selection of load factors or safety factors in the applicable load combinations.

LOAD COMBINATIONS, ALLOWABLE

STRESSES AND LOAD FACTORS
O

3.18

Loading conditions for buildings, structures, equipment and foundations shall be

according to ASCE-7, qualified local/national codes, and standards plus the following
load combinations:
APPLICABLE LOADS FOR LOADING CONDITIONS
LOADS

OPERATION
NORMAL
ABNORMAL
(UPSET)

ERECTION

TESTING

EMPTY
(SHUTDOWN)

X
X
X
X

X
X
X
X

X
X
X
X

X
X
X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X

DEAD (FIXED) LOADS

Dead Load of Structure
plus fireproofing
Dead Load of Equipment
plus internals, fireproofing, insulation

Dead Load of Piping plus insulation

CONSTRUCTION LOADS
Forces caused by erection
LIVE (MOVEABLE) LOADS

Platform and walkway loads

Material storage
PROCESS LOADS
Normal fluid loads
Shutdown fluid loads
Thermal forces
Vibrating equipment forces
Impact forces
Normal surge forces
Abnormal surge forces
MAINTENANCE LOADS

X
X
X
X
X

Test fluid loads

Bundle pull force
ENVIRONMENTAL LOADS
Snow, ice or rain
Earthquake(1)
Wind, 3 second gust(1)

X
X
X
X
80% of full wind

X
X
X (2)

X
X
X

X
X
X

Notes:
(1)
Wind and Earthquake are not considered to act simultaneously.
(2)
1/3 full wind or wind at 45 mph (20 m/s), whichever is greater.

R,C

3.19

For consideration of allowable stress and serviceability design, the load combinations
shall include, as appropriate:
a.
Basic allowable stresses may be increased 33% when wind or earthquake
loading is included.
b.
For the testing load condition only, basic allowable stresses may be increased
20% when wind loading is excluded, but the net load factor shall not be below
1.0.
c.

3.20

3.21

X
X
X
X

When normal surge loads are combined with wind or earthquake loads, the
basic allowable stresses may be increased 50%, but not above the yield point
of the material.
When excluding loads other than dead loads results in more critical loading condition,
then such exclusion shall be considered.
For consideration of strength (limit state) design, the load combinations shall include,
as appropriate:
a.
For the testing load condition only, all load factors may be multiplied by 0.83
when wind load is excluded.
b.
When normal surge loads are combined with wind or earthquake loads, all
load factors may be multiplied by 0.67, but the net load factors shall not be
below 1.0.

X
X (2)

3.22

The material strength reduction factors used for strength (limit state) design shall be
consistent with the selected load factors. In particular, for reinforced concrete design
per ACI 318, the alternate strength reduction factor provided in Appendix C of that
code shall be used with the load factors specified in ASCE-7.

9/68
6/70
1/72
6/72
6/75
6/78
12/90
12/93
6/97

Revision Memo
Original Issue of Basic Practice
Revision 1
Revision 2
Revision 3
Revision 4
Revision 5
Revision 6
Revision 7
Revision 0 - Original Issue of retitled International Practice
Complete rewrite of IP to consolidate design load performance requirements of BP 4-1-3
(Design Loads), BP 4-1-5 (Wind Loads), and BP 4-1-6 (Earthquake Loads) into a single
document relying more on Building Codes and Industry practices.
Exxon Research and Engineering Company, 1993, 1997