On the Nonlinear Response of Piping to Seismic Loads

Abstract

The response of a piping system to extreme seismic conditions may be controlled and limited by yielding of the structure. The effect of yielding has been found to be decisive for individual components, but for complex systems, the effect of yielding may be either important or negligible, depending on the specific geometry. Analytical and experimental tests are reviewed. The L test is devised to give an indication of the response characteristics of the system. It has been found that a parameter related to the frequency shift is capable of reasonably predicting the effect of yielding.