Shoes & U-Bolts

Pipe Shoes

Pipe shoes are structural supports mounted beneath pipes to distribute loads across a wide surface area and prevent direct pipe-to-structure contact. Common types include:

• Metal T‑style shoes: Cost-effective and simple, though they may require corrosion protection in harsh environments.

• Saddled shoes: Feature curved reinforcement saddles welded to the pipe, offering a broader contact area and lower stress on the pipe wall

Pipe shoes serve various movement control purposes:

• Resting support: Supports the pipe and allows free movement.

• Guided support: Restricts lateral and vertical movement but allows axial sliding.

• Anchor support: Fully restrains the pipe in all directions (axial, lateral, vertical)

U-Bolts

U‑bolts are U-shaped fasteners with threaded ends that securely clamp around a pipe and attach it to supporting structures. They’re integral for stabilizing pipeline alignment and may also serve as:

• Anchors: Completely prevent pipe movement in any direction—axial, lateral, vertical—thereby enhancing system stability and protecting against thermal stress, vibration, or external forces

• Guides: Permit axial sliding while restricting other movements; ideal for minimizing stress points and avoiding surface damage from contact

Anchor Components

Anchor supports are rigid configurations (often using shoes, U‑bolts, brackets) that immobilize piping systems completely in three-dimensions (6 degrees of freedom). Anchors are critical for preventing movement from thermal expansion, vibration, or load shifts, especially in engineered systems needing precise control

Summary Table

When to Use Each

• Use pipe shoes when you need to support a pipe with variable movement.

• Use U-bolts as anchors when full stability is required, or as guides to allow axial movement while securing the pipe.

• Use anchor assemblies when you need to completely restrict pipe movement for structural or safety reasons.