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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. 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 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

  • 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.

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:

  • The Saddle Wizard is a step-by-step interactive modeler that allows the user to design their horizontal vessel and saddle for any loading conditions.

  • The Pipe Shoe Wizard creates an FEA model of a pipe shoe on a cylinder to calculate local stress.

  • The Drawing Tools allow the user to add gussets, rings, clips and other attachments to an existing model.

  • Vessel Link allows the user to import models of any file type from DesignCalcs, Finglow, Codeware Compress and other Pressure Vessel design software to perform FEA.

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?

Ensuring your model or component is ASME code compliant can take time and knowledge. With NozzlePRO’s extensive capabilities and programs, performing FEA in minutes against ASME codes helps ensure your models are always designed for safety.

If you experience the following issues when designing or analyzing your pressure equipment, consider NozzlePRO to provide you an accurate analysis and expedite your workflows:

  • When there are multiple thermal or operating loads acting on a nozzle.

  • When the d/D ratio for a loaded nozzle is greater than 0.5 and WRC 107 or 297 is considered for use.

  • When the t/T ratio for a loaded nozzle is less than 1.0 and WRC 107 or 297 is considered for use.

  • When the nozzle is pad reinforced and WRC 107 or 297 is considered for use.

  • When there are loads acting on a nozzle and pipe simultaneously.

  • When pad-reinforced lugs, clips, or other support are placed on the knuckle radius of a dished head and WRT 107 methods are fraught with potential errors.

  • When seismic horizontal loads on vessel clips or box supports are to be evaluated.

  • When evaluating large run moments, but small branch moments in a piping system.

  • When there are overturning moments on skirts.

  • When there are different thermal expansion coefficients or temperatures between the header and branch.

  • When horizontal vessels are saddle supported, with or without wear plates, as well as tapered saddles with many design options.

  • When evaluating the effects of axial or transverse loads due to internal sloshing, wind loads, seismic loads, or general external loads and when the Zick method does not consider either axial or transverse loads.

  • When designing pipe shoes for self-weight, liquid weight and axial loads

  • & many more.

NozzlePRO accounts for thermal, weight, operating, occasional, pressure, wind and earthquake loads so that compliance requirement needs in the O&G, Chemical, Pharma and many other industries can be easily determined and met.

With any DBA program, NozzlePRO is highly configurable and can be tailored to fit almost any need. Looking to learn more? Schedule a discovery call with us today by emailing sales@paulin.com.

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