Vibration Control of

Piping Systems
Practical experience in power plants shows
that the reliability and life expectancy of
piping systems are largely determined by
their dynamic characteristics and behaviour.
Dynamic loads are experienced during
normal, continuous operation and during
abnormal, potentially disastrous situations.
Hydrodynamic forces and pressure pulses,
i.e. due to abrupt opening or closing of
valves, cause vibrations of piping and aggre-
gates, as do connected pumps, compres-
sors, or turbines. In addition, external exci-
tations caused, for example, by disastrous
events like earthquakes may be transmitted
to the piping through the support structure.
In all cases the resulting pipe deflections
can be excessive and permissible loads
may be exceeded.
As piping systems have only small internal
damping dynamic excitations are especially
critical when forcing frequencies match the
natural frequencies of the piping system. In
such cases piping motions may be amplified
due to resonance effects. But also long-
term operational vibrations with relatively
small deflections can cause material fatigue
and pipe damage.
Based on the experience in design and
application of Viscodampers

for vibration
control of machinery and structures, an
element was created that shows many
beneficial characteristics.
GERB pipework dampers reduce
vibrations in all degrees of freedom.
GERB pipework dampers develop high
damping forces in case of shock loads,
whereas slow motions are not hindered.
GERB pipework dampers reduce
operational vibrations by selectively
increasing system damping.
GERB pipework dampers react to
vibrations immediately without delay
or time-lag.
GERB pipework dampers are
simple in design and handling.
There are no parts that will
wear and tear, and they are
maintenance-free making
them a cost-effective solution.
Vibration Control of
Piping Systems
Pipework dampers are frequently used for the protection of piping systems and
other components in power plants and industrial facilities. GERB pipework dampers
are highly effective visco-elastic elements, well proven in numerous installations.
By 1951 the GERB Viscodamper

was patented for pipe applications.

Pipework Damper
Time in s
-6
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
-1
-3
-5
-2
-4
-6
14 28 42 56 70 84 98 112 126 140
D
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Pipe vibrations with GERB pipework dampers
0
-6
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
-1
-3
-5
-2
-4
-6
14 28 42 56 70 84 98 112 126 140
D
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Time in s
Pipe vibrations without GERB pipework dampers
0
GERB pipework dampers consist of three
components:
The damper housing,
The damping fluid, and
The damper piston, which is immersed
in the fluid, and which can more in all
directions up to the damper walls.
The damping forces result through
shearing and displacing of the damping
fluid. The damping effect is nearly velocity
proportional.
There are several characteristics, which
may be used for the design and the
selection of GERB pipework dampers:
Nominal load [kN]
Vertical and horizontal damping
resistance [kNs/m]
Vertical and horizontal equivalent
stiffness [kN/mm]
Vertical and horizontal permissible
displacements [mm]
Operating temperature [C]
The normal load F
N
is the maximum
damping force of the damper at operating
temperature. The damping resistance is
defined as the ratio between maximum
damping force and maximum velocity.
This value is frequency dependent and
best describes the dissipative properties
of the visco-elastic dampers.
The equivalent stiffness is defined as the
ratio of maximum damping force and
maximum displacement. This value is also
frequency dependent and is used in
calculation programs that are not able to
work with velocity proportional damping
values.
The maximum permissible displacement
is the sum of thermal expansion, response
to shock and operating vibration. Usually
permissible displacements are 40 mm
(1.6) in horizontal and vertical direction.
Dampers with larger displacements are
also available. In addition, dampers can
be preset to accommodate even larger
thermal expansions.
The operating temperature is the
maximum temperature in the damping
fluid during continuous operation.
GERB implements different damper
designs and damping fluids for
different applications. We categorize
the following types:
GERB pipework dampers VES for
nuclear power plants (according to
KTA guide-line 3205.3 and performance
specification for aptitude tested,
non-integral supports of piping systems
and components in power plants and
other installations).
GERB pipework dampers RRD and
RRD..TU for conventional power plants
and chemical facilities.
GERB pipework dampers RHY for
industrial applications.
Damper Arrangements
Hinweise fr den Rohrleitungsplaner
Rohrleitungsdmpfer werden im Bereich
grter Rohrleitungsausschlge, den
Schwingungsbuchen, eingesetzt, um grt-
mgliche Dmpfungskrfte zu erzielen. In
der Nhe von Schwingungsknoten mit ge-
ringer Schwinggeschwindigkeit kann der
Dmpfer nicht oder nur eingeschrnkt wir-
ken. Zur Bedmpfung hherer Eigenschwin-
gungsformen empfehlen wir, anstelle eines
groen Dmpfers mehrere kleinere Dmpfer
vorzusehen.
Rohrleitungsdmpfer knnen auf, neben
oder unter der Rohrleitung installiert werden.
Dabei kann sowohl der Dmpferstempel als
auch der Dmpfertopf mit der Rohrleitung
verbunden werden. Die Belastungsrichtung
braucht nicht in die Richtung der Dmpfer-
achse zu fallen, weil Rohrleitungsdmpfer
ihre Reaktionskraft in alle Raumrichtungen
entwickeln. Allerdings ist darauf zu achten,
dass die Dmpfer immer senkrecht stehend
eingebaut werden, um ein Auslaufen der
viskosen Masse zu vermeiden.
Hinweise fr den Rohrleitungsplaner
Rohrleitungsdmpfer werden im Bereich
grter Rohrleitungsausschlge, den
Schwingungsbuchen, eingesetzt, um
grtmgliche Dmpfungskrfte zu erzielen.
In der Nhe von Schwingungsknoten mit
geringer Schwinggeschwindigkeit kann der
Dmpfer nicht oder nur eingeschrnkt wir-
ken. Zur Bedmpfung hherer Eigenschwin-
gungsformen empfehlen wir, anstelle eines
groen Dmpfers mehrere kleinere Dmpfer
vorzusehen.
Rohrleitungsdmpfer knnen auf, neben
oder unter der Rohrleitung installiert werden.
Dabei kann sowohl der Dmpferstempel als
auch der Dmpfertopf mit der Rohrleitung
verbunden werden. Die Belastungsrichtung
braucht nicht in die Richtung der Dmpfer-
achse zu fallen, weil Rohrleitungsdmpfer
ihre Reaktionskraft in alle Raumrichtungen
entwickeln. Allerdings ist darauf zu achten,
dass die Dmpfer immer senkrecht stehend
eingebaut werden, um ein Auslaufen der
viskosen Masse zu vermeiden.
GERB pipework dampers can be used for ope-
rating temperatures between 30 C and
+120 oC. For certain applications temp erature
dependent fluids are used explicitly designed
for the operating temperatures of 20 C, 30 C,
40 C, 50 C, 60 C, 70 C, and 80 C.
The optimum damping effect depends also on
the location of the damper. Often it is more
effective to use several smaller dampers than
one large damper as more mode shapes can
be damped.
As GERB pipework dampers react velocity
proportional they do not support static loads,
which have to be supported by other pipe
support. GERB will assist in the selection of
suitable dampers and favourable locations for
your installation.
Tips for Pipework Designer
GERB pipework dampers are most effective
when mounted at the locations where the
largest displacements are expected. These
locations are determined by calculation or
general experience. When a pipe damper is
located at or close to vibration nodes with low
vibration velocities, it is less effective. Again,
to secure optimum damping of higher vibration
modes, it is better to employ several small
dampers instead of one large damper, and to
distribute them uniformly over several points
of support.
GERB pipework dampers can be installed
below, above, or next to the pipe. Either
upper portion of the damper (damper piston)
or lower portion of the damper (damper
housing) can be connected to the pipe. As
the damper develops forces in all directions
the load does not need to be in line with the
damper axis. However, dampers are always
installed upright to prevent leakage of the
viscous fluid.
Vibration Control of Piping Systems
Reference list (excerpt)
Frequency in Hz
V
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d
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p
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g

r
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k
N
s
/
m
10
100
1000
1
0 5 10 20 35 15 25 30
Frequency in Hz
V
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e
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t

s
t
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f
f
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k
N
/
m
m
0 5 10 20 35 15 25 30
1
10
100
0
Country Project/Plant
Conventional Power Plants
China PP FuZhou, Fujian
PP WaiGaoQiao, Shanghai
PP RiZhao, Shandong
Denmark PP Fynsvaerke
Egypt PP Suez I + II + III
Germany PP Mannheim
PP Mehrum
PP Meppen
PP Niederaussem
PP Scholven
PP Schwarze Pumpe
Greece PP Kardia s.e.s.
India PP Simhadri
PP Rihand
PP Talcher
Netherlands PP Maasbracht
Spain PP Alcudia
Turkey PP Iskenderun
Offshore
Norway Plattform Oseberg B
Plattform Ringhorn
Umoe Olje og Gass AS
Plattform Troll A
"Pre-Compression Project
United Kingdom Shell Brent Field
Shell Curlew
Chevron Alba OMSC
Country Project/Plant
Nuclear Power Plants
Belgium NPP Doel III + IV
Bulgaria NPP Kozloduy
Brasil NPP Angra
China NPP Tianwan, Jiangsu
NPP LinAo, Guangdong
Czech Republic NPP Temelin
NPP Dukovany
Finland NPP Loviisa
Germany NPP Brokdorf
NPP Brunsbttel
NPP Emsland
NPP Neckarwestheim
NPP Grundremmingen
NPP Grohnde
NPP Philippsburg
NPP Unterweser
Hungary NPP Paks
Lithuania NPP Ignalina
Romania NPP Cernavoda
Sweden NPP Forsmark
NPP Oskarshamn
Switzerland NPP Gsgen
NPP Leibstadt
Slovakia NPP Bohunice
NPP Mochovce
USA NPP Calverts Cliff
NPP Farley
NPP Byron
Chemical Plants
Belgium BASF Antwerpen
Germany BASF Ludwigshafen
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Uerdingen
DOW Stade
Typical curve of vertical damping resistance and equivalent stiffness of GERB pipework dampers
Saint Petersburg
Milano
Prague
New-Dehli
Corporate Headquarters with Production
Subsidiary with Production
Subsidiary
Guadalajara
worldwide
GERB Schwingungsisolierungen
GmbH & Co. KG
Roedernallee 174-176
13407 Berlin/Germany
Tel. +49- 30- 41 91-0
Fax +49- 30- 41 91-199
Ruhrallee 311
45136 Essen
Tel. +49-201-266 04- 0
Fax +49-201-266 04- 40
iso@gerb.de
www.gerb.com
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EN ISO 9001: 2000 Certified Company
To prepare a quotation please provide the following
information of the piping system:
Operating temperature [C]
Temperature changes (indoor or outdoor application) [C]
Pipe weight to be dampened [kN]
Thermal expansion vertical and horizontal [mm]
Type of excitation and frequencies [Hz]
Dynamic amplitudes [mm]
Contacts:
Dr. Karl-Heinz Reinsch
Tel. +49-30-41 91-105
karl-heinz.reinsch@gerb.de
Dr. Frank Barutzki
Tel. +49-30-41 91-118
frank.barutzki@gerb.de