Flexible Pipes Are the Trick to Seismic Construction

This feature image shows two 24-inch pipes that rise out of of the a massive spline beam above level “B.” These two pipes will connect to pipes that pass through the foundation and runs underground to the power plant just west of Taylor Street.

Have you ever wondered how the underground ridged pipes that connect to the building’s pipes withstand seismic activity. The answer is isolation and flexibility. To reduce stress on the pipes during an earthquake architects and engineers design isolation systems that will minimize movement by placing less stress on the anchors during an earthquake. This project is no exception. This post will highlight the various types of flexible configurations for pipes used in this project. It is mind boggling to see looped pipes as large as 24-inches fitted with braided flexible connectors. The majority of pipes connect between level “B” and Level “A” in the moat. For purposes of this post, I will concentrate on these areas specifically on the north side.

When completed, the loop in the feature image will connect to these two large pipes that pass through the foundation wall.

As viewed in the moat from level “B” two large ML (Metraloops) pipes come through a spline beam and arc high above the floor, loops back down, and loops up again where it connects to pipes that run through the foundation and underground to the steam generator, which is located north of the building. Note the braided flex expansion pipes. Also, compare the size of the ML pipes to the men standing in the area.

A Closeup of the braided section of the ML expansion joints.

Overhead, two flexible pipes, one from the east and the other from the west connect to pipes that run through the foundation wall.

A wider shot of the flexible pipe connections.

Flexible pipes connect to a 45 degree elbow.

Flexible pipes hang from the cap slab in the northeast corner of the building.

Dennis E. Park, MA

After graduate school Dennis accepted a position at Loma Linda University. He worked there for 42 years in the areas of administration and financial management, also teaching accounting and management to dietetic students at the School of Public Health. Through the years Dennis has chronicled the growth of the campus, including the construction of the Drayson Center and the Centennial Complex and the razing of Gentry Gym. He is the author of "The Mound City Chronicles: A Pictorial History of Loma Linda University, A Health Sciences Institution 1905 - 2005." dEp 09.30.2016 🔨

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