DRAFT - What Is FEPipe?

NozzlePRO FEPipe is a standalone solution that enables users to quickly and easily perform finite element analysis (FEA) of individual template-based software solution specifically designed for use in the pressure vessel and piping components, without extensive knowledge of FEA modeling, analysis techniques or theory.

With capabilities designed to automate FEA validation and ASME code compliance reporting on pressure vessel and nozzle models, NozzlePRO is an efficient and accurate Design By Analysis (DBA) solution for pressure equipment designs.

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(PV&P) industries. Based on the chosen template, FEPipe performs detailed simulations using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to comply with the ASME BPV Section VIII Division 2. What separates FEPipe from general-purpose FEA software packages is its ability to rapidly construct PV&P geometries and produce ASME code compliance reports. Instead of generalized stress results, FEPipe displays results in terms of ASME compliance requirements.

FEPipe’s use of the parametric approach allows novice finite element analysts to construct accurate models using only dimensional input. FEPipe automatically creates the model geometry, element mesh, applied loads and boundary conditions based on standard dimensions with the ability to edit in the Drawing Tools editor.

What Does FEPipe Include?

FEPipe Software Capabilities

NozzlePRO is designed to quickly and easily evaluate nozzles, saddles, pipe shoes and clips on a variety of head types including spherical, elliptical, ASME, dished, cylindrical and conical. Within minutes you’ll be able to generate the following:

• Nozzles through Blind Flanges in Axisymmetric and Brick Models

• Double Bed Supports

• Axisymmetric Horizontal Vessel with Saddles

• Steady State and Transient Heat Transfer for Axisymmetric 2D Elements

• Head Thickness Contours

• Blind or Matching Flange End Conditions for Axisymmetric or Brick Models

• Radiused Welds

• Overturning Moments on Skirts (Brick Models)

• Internal Ring Loads

• Integral and Non-Integral Repads

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FEPipe Software Features

NozzlePRO FEPipe supports several model elements for rapid modeling and analysis. The table below further outlines this:

Additionally, FEATools, is also included in the latest version of FEPipe. FEATools transforms your piping (CAESAR II and PCL-Gold) by including upgraded branch connections (with the addition of rigid elements and restraints) to better simulate real-world displacement and forces. The FEA-based calculations provide the necessary k-factors, SSIs and SIFs that will be added to every branch connection.

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FEPipe Software Features

FEPipe encompasses a variety of features and capabilities to automate and create efficiency for pressure equipment PV&P design and analysis.

Features in FEPipe

PRG’s standalone FEA solution aims to support the easy and accurate Design By Analysis functionality and features, including:

Analysis

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Validates models against ASME Section VIII Div 1 and Div 2 codes and provides stress classification options to address different interpretations of the code

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Uses WRC 107/537 methods for spheres, elliptical and dished heads

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FEPipe supports a variety of analysis features for loads and load cases, nonlinear and linear analysis, and more.

Loads

• Weight, operating, occasional, thermal and pressure

• Wind and seismic loads

• Acceleration due to ship motion or transportation

• Internal or external pressure

• Applied point or surface loadings

• Piping loads applied to nozzles

• Combination loads through the run that correspond with B31.3, 319.2.2 Overload Calculation ASME Code Classification Update Updated Bends with Trunnion Models

• Collapse load model perturbation and buckling for heads, cylinders, bends and branch connections

• Automatic SIF values and allowable loads

Nonlinear

• Nonlinear or elastic analysis to determine plasticity

• Nonlinear and linear analysis

• Automated Nonlinear SSI and Collapse Calculations for Bends, Heads, Branches or Saddles

• Updated Nonlinear Material Large Rotation / Large Strain Solver

• +Y Simple Nonlinear Supports for Saddles, Pipe Shoes & Similar Geometries

• Leak-Before-Break Linear and Nonlinear Pressure Fatigue on Thick Nozzles & Olets

Other Analysis

• Dynamic/modal and harmonic analysis

• Steady state and transient thermal analysis

• Fatigue analysis

Fitness for Service

Evaluates flaws or cracks in pressurized or loaded components using a Level 2 and 3 fitness-for-service analysis.

Code and Design Guidance on Advanced Geometries

Design assistance and reporting is available through FEPipe, and even includes built-in WRC calculators to expedite the design process.

• WRC 107/537 design guidance for spheres, elliptical and dished Heads

• Recommended SCF for pressure stress on welds interactive local thin area drawings and analysis

• Bar supports and local thin areas

• ASME Section VIII Div 2 guidance

Design

• Provides automatic nonlinear Sustained Stress Indexes (SSI) and collapse calculations for heads, branches and saddles

• Uses elastic-plastic and non-linear FEA solvers to determine the most accurate nominal stress states

• Uses the Drawing Tools feature to provide interactive drawings of components for local thin areas

• Sustains multiple load cases at a time so that combination loads thru the run can be performed

• Provides guidance on the Acoustic Induced Vibration Update (AIV) for determining frequency ranges and stress results for high frequencies

Integration

• Includes a native integration with CEI’s DesignCalcs and Finglow so that models can be imported and FEA can be performed along with PD5500, EN13445 and ASME Section VIII Div 1 and 2 codes

• Supports XML and JSON files so that models can be imported from Codeware Compress and Hexagon programs

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Programs in FEPipe

Along with a variety of features, NozzlePRO utilizes several programs to provide the ultimate FEA solution for pressure equipment designs. A few include:

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