Calculate pipe stretch from temperature change or axial load using length, material, diameter, wall thickness, and force inputs for thermal and load cases.

Pipe Stretch Calculator

Pick what causes the stretch, enter the basics, see how much the pipe moves.

Temperature Change
Axial Load
Enter a pipe length greater than 0.
Enter a temperature change.
Enter a pipe length greater than 0.
Enter a non-zero force.
Enter the outside diameter.
in
Wall thickness must be greater than 0 and less than half the OD.

Pipe Stretch Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the Pipe Stretch. 

PS = F*L*12 / (A*E)

Variables:

  • PS is the Pipe Stretch (inches)
  • F is the force (lbf) 
  • L is the length (ft) 
  • A is the cross-sectional area (in^2) 
  • E is the modulus of elasticity (psi, 30 * 10^6 for metal)

How to Calculate Pipe Stretch?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Pipe Stretch.

  1. First, determine the force (lbf).
  2. Next, determine the length (ft). 
  3. Next, determine the cross-sectional area (in^2). 
  4. Next, gather the formula from above = PS = F*L*12 / (A*E).
  5. Finally, calculate the Pipe Stretch.
  6. After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above. 

Example Problem:

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

force (lbf) = 500

length (ft) = 3

cross-sectional area (in^2) = 20

PS = F*L*12 / (A*E) =  ?