How to calculate a spring-loaded support
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I have a question – as the title suggests, how is one supposed to calculate support like this? Do we just need to calculate the saddle point above? The one below should be regarded as a fixed function. There is one more small issue: the customer refuses to change the lower cylinder to a connection using equipment flanges and insists on welding it on-site. Why is that? (Transportation and on-site construction must be cheaper than two pairs of flanges, right?)
I understand the two questions raised by the original poster; here’s my opinion for your reference: This constant-force spring support shouldn’t be considered merely as the saddle portion at the top. For selection and calculation, it is first necessary to take into account the total weight of the equipment as well as the thermal displacement during operation. Subsequently, the strength of the support brackets must be determined by considering the actual reaction force of the springs, in addition to additional loads such as wind load and seismic forces. It is recommended to refer to standards for supports and hangers such as HG/T 20645; it is best to consult professional designers or manufacturers of such supports to avoid making mistakes in the calculations. Regarding the client’s insistence on on-site welding: You think that transportation followed by on-site welding is cheaper than using flanges, but the client is likely not considering costs as the main factor – either they are worried about leaks or air leaks due to flange connections, or the equipment is too large to transport, and the precision required for assembling the flange sections on-site is higher; in such cases, it’s actually less hassleful to have everything delivered and welded on-site. It’s also possible that the client has had negative experiences with flange connections that required rework, so it might be useful to ask the client about their specific concerns before continuing the discussion.