Correlation between stiffener configurations and load capacity for pipe support beam

Pipe supports play a critical role in ensuring the safe operation of piping systems in industrial environments. When additional piping is introduced, these supports must be reinforced to accommodate increased loads. This study investigates the influence of stiffener parameters, there are beam size, stiffener distance, and stiffener thickness on the load capacity of pipe supports using both experimental testing and finite element analysis (FEA). A stiffened pipe support model was developed and subjected to concentrated load testing, and the corresponding FEA model was validated against the experimental results, achieving an average accuracy of 94.62%. The findings indicate that beam size significantly affects load capacity, while stiffener distance has a more pronounced effect in medium to large beams. In contrast, variations in stiffener thickness showed minimal impact. These results provide valuable insights for engineers aiming to optimize pipe support configurations and establish a foundation for design optimization in manufacturing applications.