Pipe Rack Shimming on Structural Steel

Pipe racks are the backbone of industrial piping systems. Proper shimming on structural steel members ensures correct pipe elevation and prevents stress on connections and equipment nozzles.

Pipe Rack Support Types

• Wide flange beams (W-shapes) as primary pipe rack members
• Channel sections for secondary supports
• Angle iron brackets for small-bore piping
• Plate steel saddle supports welded to rack members

Shimming on I-Beams and Wide Flange

Shims placed on the top flange of I-beams must cover adequate bearing area. Use full-width shims that match or exceed the pipe shoe width to distribute load across the flange.

Common Pipe Rack Shimming Issues

• Flange slope requiring tapered shims for level support
• Beam camber creating uneven elevation along the rack
• Thermal expansion of rack steel affecting pipe position
• Excessive shim stack height at connections to equipment

Document Pipe Rack Shims with ShimSheet

ShimSheet tracks every shim on every support across your entire pipe rack system. Organize by line number, rack section, or support location. Generate as-built reports for project turnover.