HOW TO DESIGN SADDLE SUPPORTS FOR HORIZONTAL VESSELS

This article gives the complete analysis and design of the supports for a large horizontal cylindrical pressure vessel. Today's practice is to use only two saddles even for very long horizontal vessels. A distinct advantage of two saddles is the tolerance for soil settlement of one support; the loads remain equal and the vessel stresses remain the same. This is also true for temperature changes and horizontal friction loads. Design recommendations are discussed under the following headings - radial forces; wind forces; friction and vertical forces; material and allowable stresses; load combinations; action of saddle; tension on cross-section; upper flange; lower flange; web; weld-upper flange to wear plate; stiffeners; and optimizing material.