Pipe Vibration Solutions

Unchecked pipe vibration is a leading cause of fatigue failure, excessive noise, and leakage in industrial piping systems. Our engineered vibration solutions are designed to analyze and mitigate these dynamic forces before they compromise system integrity and safety. We offer a comprehensive range of hardware—including mechanical snubbers, sway braces, and viscoelastic dampers—that function as effective pipe vibration isolators.

By isolating piping from structural supports or altering the system’s natural frequency, these vibration control devices help prevent destructive resonance caused by fluid flow, mechanical pulsation, or seismic activity. This approach improves system reliability, reduces maintenance requirements, and extends the service life of critical piping infrastructure.

PT&P has designed its portfolio of solutions to make full use of:

• Stiffening – When a solution is added to hold down the piping at an individual point, it causes the pipe to resist movement that is caused by vibration energy. Stiffening is good at limiting movement at an individual point in the system. However, it does not remove vibration energy from the piping system so vibration will continue down the line. Examples of stiffening solutions include U-Bolts, Hold Downs, and Clamps.
• Energy Dampening – When an energy-dampening solution is added, it converts mechanical energy from vibration to heat. This is typically done with different types of friction, including viscoelasticity and hysteresis. Energy dampening removes vibration energy from the piping system and reduces the amplitude of vibration that passes down the line. PT&P uses vibration pads for energy dampening and is currently working on additional options for different vibration scenarios.
• Isolation – Isolation solutions are used to keep vibration energy from piping being passed to the structure. Springs and steel cables are 2 examples of items used for isolation.

View our Case study on Vibration in Piping

 

PT&P’s portfolio of products that can assist with pipe vibration issues includes:

• Super U-Bolt – A U-bolt can be used as a lightweight stiffening solution. PT&P’s super U-bolt can be ordered with a vibration pad to add energy dampening to the solution.

 

• Clamps – PT&P offers a variety of clamps from lighter to heavier weights. PT&P Clamps can be ordered with vibration pads to add energy dampening.

 

• Hold Downs – Hold-downs are a heavyweight stiffening solution. PT&P’s hold downs can be ordered with vibration pads to add energy dampening.

 

• Vibration Pads – Vibration pads can be ordered separately or in combination with other products to provide energy dampening. PT&P uses a variety of different vibration pads that are optimized for different frequencies and loads as well as price points.

• Sway Brace – This solution is used to stiffen the piping by using the spring rate of a helical spring to oppose the mechanical energy from vibration. PT&P sway braces are also used in other parts of the overall system, including tanks and pressure vessels.

  

 

• Snubbers – PT&P has one of the most extensive lines of mechanical and hydraulic snubbers in the world. Snubbers are best used for occasional vibration or large transient loads. The design of a snubber is not well-suited to continuous vibration.

Pipe Vibration Services

PT&P has extensive experience in assessing vibration in piping systems. Our services include:

• Product Selection Support – When you order products from PT&P, we include support on product selection as part of the order. You can reach an expert from PT&P who can assist in providing a recommended product based on a description of the problem and additional information, including pictures, isometrics, and accelerometer data.
• Pipe Vibration Assessment and Solution – PT&P also provides services to determine the root cause of vibration and design a solution after determination of root cause. PT&P Field Engineers will assess the issue at the customer site and collect relevant data. This will be assessed with the relevant experts at PT&P to isolate the root cause. Field engineering will then work with design engineering to develop the appropriate solution. NOTE: PT&P’s expertise is in piping systems. If the root cause of vibration is in areas such as rotating equipment, PT&P may not be able to design the appropriate solution without engaging outside expertise.
• Pipe Stress Analysis – Pipe stress analysis can be useful in analyzing potential causes of vibration by assessing whether the piping is properly supported. When the piping system is not properly supported, it leads to too much flexibility in the piping system, which makes it vulnerable to vibration.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What are the primary causes of pipe vibration in industrial systems? 

A:  Pipe vibration in industrial systems is commonly caused by internal fluid dynamics—such as turbulence, water hammer, or slug flow—as well as mechanical pulsation from reciprocating pumps and compressors. External factors, including acoustic resonance and structural excitation, can also contribute to vibration within piping systems.

 

Q: How do pipe vibration isolators differ from standard pipe supports? 

A: Standard supports are primarily designed to carry the static weight of the pipe (dead load) and its contents. Pipe vibration isolators, such as spring sway braces or dampers, are specifically engineered to control dynamic loads by absorbing energy and resisting cyclic movement. This helps reduce vibration, prevent fatigue damage, and improve overall system reliability.

 

Q: Why is it critical to implement engineered vibration solutions? 

A: Implementing proper vibration solutions is critical because continuous oscillation creates stress cycles that lead to metal fatigue. Over time, these cycles can lead to metal fatigue, resulting in cracks, flange leaks, and potentially catastrophic failure of the piping pressure boundary.

 

Q: Can you retrofit vibration isolators for pipes on existing systems? 

A: Yes. We frequently design custom vibration isolators for pipes that can be installed on existing lines. This typically involves installing specialized clamps, adding sway braces or dampers, or using field-welded attachments to introduce restraint or damping at locations where excessive vibration has been identified. These retrofits help reduce dynamic stresses and extend the service life of the piping system.

 

Q: Do you offer vibration solutions for thermal expansion applications?

 A: Yes. Our vibration solutions are designed to accommodate thermal growth. Devices such as hydraulic or mechanical snubbers allow slow thermal movement while locking instantly to act as rigid pipe vibration isolator during shock events or rapid displacement.

 

View PT&P’s Pipe Vibration Solutions PDF