How to Use

Start at Project Inputs. Capture the line design basis: project, area, line number, pipe size, schedule, material, service, design & operating temperatures, insulation type/thickness, layout (above-ground / pipe-rack / equipment piping / skid) and project phase (new-build / brownfield / retrofit).

• Load Sample Data — fills the form with a realistic line so you can explore.
• Save Project — keeps multiple named scenarios in your browser.
• Export / Import JSON — share a complete design basis with a colleague.

All state is persisted locally under pipe-support-smart-assist. Back up periodically by exporting JSON.

The Wizard asks the questions an experienced piping engineer would ask on site:

• Geometry: orientation (horizontal / vertical / sloped / changing direction), and proximity to a nozzle, valve, flange, anchor, bend, branch or expansion loop.
• Movement & loading: thermal movement, uplift, vibration, vertical adjustability, axial & lateral movement strategy (allow vs restrain).
• Constructability: permanent vs temporary, welding-to-pipe permitted, special service (cryogenic / hot / sour / corrosive / firewater).

Every answer feeds the recommendation engine — there are no hidden defaults.

The Report page returns:

• Primary support + ranked alternates.
• Function served (weight, guide, anchor, limit-stop, vibration control…).
• Allowed vs restrained movements.
• Design checks and follow-up checks the engineer must close.
• Code references for every decision.
• Risk flags and a short learning moment.

Verdict is one of:

Use Add to Register to push the support into the project register with a tag and location.

The Support Register is your project-wide list of supports.

• Add from a recommendation, or directly from a structure card.
• Edit a single support (tag, location, hardware, function, remarks, structural review flag, etc.).
• Bulk-edit a group of supports — apply the same change (e.g. assign a structure, change load class) across many tags at once.
• Tagging scheme is configurable: prefix, line token, padding and start index. Tags renumber consistently across the project.
• Export the register to PDF / XLSX for hand-over to fabrication and construction.

Use Structure Arrangements to define the supporting steel: goal-post, inverted-L, pipe-rack beam, wall bracket, pedestal, or existing-steel tie-in. For each structure you set dimensions (with formulas), structural MTO, max supports, load class and dynamic flag.

Bidirectional Structure ↔ Support relationship

• Add new support to this structure — opens the Add dialog with line and structure pre-filled.
• Assign existing support — pick supports already in the register.
• View assigned supports — see everything sitting on this structure.
• Counters: Supports assigned: X / max and Structure utilization: X%.

Supports can also be assigned the other way: from the Register, set the structure on a support and it appears under that structure here.

Support Standards is the reference library of 16 standard supports, grouped into Rigid / Variable / Constant / Restraint / Guide / Anchor / Special / Structure. Each card shows an inline SVG schematic so the hardware is unambiguous, plus the editable tag prefix used by the register.

MTO auto-compiles a screening bill of materials from the register and the structure register.

• Shared structural components (rack beams, posts) are counted once per structure.
• Pipe-contact hardware (shoes, U-bolts, clamps) is counted per support.
• Items are split into Fabricated and Bought-out, with material, size, qty and remarks.
• Use it for early procurement only — final MTO must come from approved isometrics.

Codes & References lists the standards the engine cites: ASME B31.3, MSS SP-58/69/89/127, PFI ES-26, PIP standards, and vendor allowables (API 610, NEMA SM-23). Use it as your verification checklist before issuing a design.