UNE-EN 13480-3-2017 A3-2020 PDF

Full title and description

STB UNE-EN 13480-3:2017 A3:2020 — Metallic industrial piping — Part 3: Design and calculation (European Standard EN 13480-3:2017 with Amendment A3:2020, adopted nationally as indicated by the STB / UNE prefix in the title). This document sets out requirements and calculation rules for the design and flexibility analysis of metallic industrial piping systems and associated supports.

Abstract

EN 13480-3:2017 (with Amendment A3:2020) specifies principles, formulae and acceptance criteria for the design and calculation of metallic industrial piping systems. Amendment A3 (2020) introduces targeted revisions, notably to Clause 12 (flexibility analysis / stress calculations) and to Annex H (flexibility characteristics and stress‑intensification factors), clarifying calculation routes and updating stress intensification factors (SIFs) and section moduli for common piping components.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn / Superseded by EN 13480-3:2024 (national adoptions vary; the 2017 edition plus amendments remained in force until replacement by the 2024 revision).
• Publication date: EN 13480-3 approved 21 June 2017 and published (national implementations e.g. BSI) 30 September 2017; Amendment A3 approved in September 2020 (A3:2020) and published by national bodies in late 2020 / early 2021.
• Publisher: CEN (European Committee for Standardization) — nationally adopted and published by member bodies (title shows STB / UNE national designation as applicable).
• ICS / categories: 23.040.01 — Pipeline components and pipelines in general.
• Edition / version: EN 13480-3:2017 with Amendment A3:2020 (presented as STB UNE-EN 13480-3:2017 A3:2020 in national catalogues).
• Number of pages: Main Part 3 (2017) — approximately 360–365 pages (varies by national publication); Amendment A3 (2020) document — approximately 30–40 pages (typical national amendment publication ~36 pages).

Scope

This part of EN 13480 gives rules for the design and calculation of metallic industrial piping systems and their supports covered by the EN 13480 series. It applies to piping made of metallic materials (initial focus on steel) above ground, ducted or buried, and covers determination of loads, material allowable stresses, flexibility analysis, stress intensification factors, acceptance criteria and calculation methods needed to ensure safe operation. It is intended for general industrial piping (petrochemical, power, process plants, etc.) and complements the other parts of EN 13480 that address materials, fabrication, installation, inspection and testing.

Key topics and requirements

• Design principles and calculation methods for primary and secondary stresses in piping.
• Flexibility analysis: formulation of load cases, determination of moments, forces and deflections, and acceptance checks.
• Stress intensification factors (SIFs) and flexibility characteristics for elbows, tees, nozzles, reducers and other discontinuities (updates provided in Amendment A3:2020 and Annex H).
• Material allowable stresses, temperature effects and corrosion allowances for pipe wall thickness and section modulus calculations.
• Criteria for pressure test loads, sustained loads, occasional/exceptional loads and thermal/alternating load ranges.
• Calculation routes (general and alternative) for in‑plane and out‑of‑plane bending, torsion and combined loading.
• Requirements for attachments, flanges and welded connections; guidance on modeling and simplifications for analysis.
• Acceptance criteria, including limits on stresses, stress ranges, and allowable fatigue/creep considerations where applicable.

Typical use and users

Used by piping designers, mechanical engineers, stress analysts, plant engineering teams, fabricators, inspection and certification bodies, and regulatory compliance officers in industries such as oil & gas, petrochemical, chemical, power generation and heavy process plants. The document is applied during the detailed design, engineering review, and verification stages to size pipework, select materials and verify flexibility and stress limits prior to fabrication and installation.

Related standards

EN 13480 series (Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) — Part 1 (general), Part 2 (materials), Part 4 (supports), Part 5 (fabrication/installation/inspection) and related EN standards (for example EN 13445 for unfired pressure vessels), applicable Eurocodes and national regulations. National adoptions and complementary documents (UNE, BS, NS, etc.) and harmonized standards related to Directive 2014/68/EU (pressure equipment) are commonly referenced alongside EN 13480‑3.

Keywords

Metallic industrial piping; piping design; flexibility analysis; stress intensification factor (SIF); EN 13480-3; amendment A3:2020; supports; section modulus; corrosion allowance; pressure test; piping calculation; piping codes; piping acceptance criteria.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: EN 13480-3:2017 with Amendment A3:2020 is the part of the European standard series EN 13480 that defines rules for the design and calculation of metallic industrial piping systems. The title shown (STB UNE-EN 13480-3:2017 A3:2020) indicates a national adoption/notation of the European document.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers methods for calculating loads and stresses in metallic piping, flexibility analysis and acceptance criteria, stress intensification factors and component flexibility data (Annex H), procedures for pressure test loads, and requirements related to material allowable stresses and corrosion allowances needed to verify safe piping design.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Piping and mechanical engineers, stress analysts, plant designers, fabricators, inspection/verification bodies and compliance officers in industries such as oil & gas, petrochemical, chemical processing, power generation and other heavy industries that employ industrial piping systems.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The EN 13480-3:2017 edition with Amendment A3:2020 has been superseded by a later consolidated revision (EN 13480-3:2024). The 2017 edition + amendments remained in force until replaced; national adoption and withdrawal dates vary by country (the 2024 consolidated edition is the up-to-date reference for new designs).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — EN 13480 is a multi‑part European standard for metallic industrial piping. Part 1 covers general rules, Part 2 covers materials, Part 3 covers design and calculation, Part 4 covers supports, and Part 5 covers fabrication, installation, inspection and testing. The parts are intended to be used together.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Metallic piping, piping design, flexibility analysis, stress intensification factor (SIF), EN 13480, amendment A3:2020, supports, section modulus, corrosion allowance, pressure equipment.