DRAFT - What Is FEPipe?

FEPipe is a template-based software solution specifically designed for use in the pressure vessel and piping (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

FEPipe supports several model elements for rapid modeling and analysis as well as an an extensive element library that is easily searchable. The table below further outlines this:

Element	Element Type/Capability
Shell	Unreinforced Fabricated Tee Pad Reinforced Fabricated Tee Hillside Tee Welding Tee Y-Fitting Tee Bend with Trunnion Tank Settlement Low Tank Nozzle Tangential Nozzle
Brick	Unreinforced Fabricated Tee Pad Reinforced Fabricated Tee Olet Intersection Axisymmetric Flange Modeler
Vessels	Conical head Cylindrical shell Dished head Elliptical head Flat head Hemispherical head Spherical
Nozzles	Round nozzles on shells Oblo-rectangular nozzles on shells Pad-reinforced and self-reinforced nozzles Gusset reinforced nozzles Tangential nozzle on heads Nozzles intersection heads and shells Large nozzles on heads that cross the vessel centerline
Supports	Structural steel on shells Skirts on vertical vessels Two saddle model Arbitrary saddle modeling including stacked vessels Arbitrary support construction
Bends	Round nozzles on bends Structural steel on bends Mitered bends
Flanges	Flange leakage Flange stress
Tanks	Tank nozzles
Plate Heat Exchangers	Plate heat exchanger port

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.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: In FEATools, run the piping model file (CAESAR II or PCL-Gold) to generate FEA-based Stress Intensification Factors (SIFs), Sustained Stress Indexes (SSIs) and k-factors.

Step 2: In FEPipe, re-run the piping model file (CAESAR II or PCL-Gold) analysis to get more accurate stresses, loads, displacements and life cycles.

FEPipe Software Features

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

Features in FEPipe

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

Analysis

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

Evaluates flaws or cracks in pressurized or loaded components using a Level 2 and 3 fitness-for-service analysis.
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 and Similar Geometries
Leak-Before-Break Linear and Nonlinear Pressure Fatigue on Thick Nozzles and Olets

Other Analysis

Dynamic/modal and harmonic analysis
Steady state and transient thermal analysis
Fatigue analysis
Eigenvalue buckling
Stress stiffening for large displacement

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

PCL-Gold Pipe Stress Module

PCL-Gold is a standalone module that is included in FEPipe that is the first pipe stress program to automatically run finite element analysis on local intersections. Additionally features include:

Auto fatigue damage calcs for multiple load cases
Path dependent or convergent friction algorithm
Refractory lined piping or Gas-lined piping
Hinged expansion joints with friction
FEA for i-factor and k-factor modeling
i-factors/k-factors for flat, conical, elliptical, spherical and dished heads
Pressure fatigue
SuperElement results

As a standalone module, PCL-Gold also connects to the latest version for FEATools. To find out more, visit https://www.paulin.com/pcl-gold

Programs in FEPipe

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

The Drawing Tools allow the user to add gussets, rings, clips and other attachments to an existing model.
FEPipe’s Fitness for Service program, API 579 Fitness for Service, allows for the direct entry of know flaw/corrosion details. Enter the flaw dimensions directly (into the Critical Flaw Dimensions section), or the dimensions can be entered in a spreadsheet grid and the Critical Flaw Dimensions section will be automatically calculated. Users can also define the defect on the model graphically by drawing the defect on the model.
- Users can add Local Thin Areas (LTA) and crack-like flaws using FEPipe, NozzlePRO or the Drawing Tools to perform API 579 or ASME FFS-1 Level 2 or 3 type analysis. Level 3 allows the use of ASME Section VIII Division 2 Part 5 Design by Analysis when the LTA or crack-like flaws are included in the shell or brick models.

Additional Programs

Program	Program Summary
MatPRO	MatPRO is PRG’s materials database that includes high temperature curves, allowable stress plots, NH reporting, creep-fatigue interaction diagrams, elastic-plastic stress strain curves and fatigue curves generated as a funtion of creep temperature.
SIF / SSI / k (PRGik)	Compares SIFs and k-factors from B31 and other codes for branch connections and elbows. Hyper Degree of Freedom (HyperDOF) calculations can be performed for elbows with and without supports with refractory.
High Frequency	Provides AIV calculation predictions of pressure levels from the surface of the vessel. This program is mainly used to: Estimate the strength of branch connections when compared to a straight pipe Perform high frequency vibration tests to confirm surface integration and prediction of damaging SPL levels Generate the predicted SPL spectrum by using methods in IEC 60534-8-3 for gas flows Scale stresses in high frequency modes to match defined spectrum responses and predict expected cycle lives
Flaw Detection	Predicts crack growth for given stress states in components to know when the crack will reach half wall and/or thru wall for leaks. This is a quick calculation based on observed crack growth in tested low carbon steel components.
Nonlinear Analysis	Computes burst pressures, sustained stress indices, twice elastic slope load levels b, and a variety of load and unload conditions.
Degree of Conservatism	This tools aids in determining the degree of conservatism on models.
FE107	FE107 replaces WRC 107 as a calculation tool that can be applied when WRC 107 or WRC 297 calculations or assumptions are limited. ASME Section VIII Div 2 allowables are printed along with flexibilities and allowable loads for forces, moments, and pressure.
FESIF	Calculates SIFs and k-factors for standard B31 branch connection geometries.
FETee	Along with performing FEA of contoured tees per user input, B16.9, or EN10253, this program mainly: Defines EN10253 types A and B tees Determinees thickness profiles Constructs appropriate finite element models Automatically generates elastic models to produce SIFs and k-factors, along with nonlinear calculations (with or without pressure) for SSIs and loads thru the branch or run. Defines local thin tees, the crotch radius, and/or the thickness profile around the branch to run penetration line.

Why Choose FEPipe?

FEPipe has been designed specifically for pipe designers and pressure vessel fabricators to help prevent the common design, analysis and fatigue problems faced by engineers today. With the extensive features and knowledge behind FEPipe, users can feel confident designing their models for ASME code compliance.

Additionally, Paulin Research Group develops their own research and methods and tests their theories in live simulations. Element formulations and related output have been compared against classical hand calculations and benchmarked against other general FEA software tools. Other research includes strain gauge measurements, burst tests, fatigue tests, cryogenic work, heat transfer experiments as well as acoustic vibration tests as shown below.

The Caesar II software product, and any copyrights or trademarks thereof, are the property of Hexagon, Inc.

Hexagon no longer sells PRG software products FEATools or NozzlePRO. If you have any questions regarding licenses purchased through Hexagon, please contact our sales group at sales@paulin.com.

FEPipe: The Pressure Vessel and Piping Design Program