software recommendations for API 650 tank design
software recommendations for API 650 tank design
(OP)
Hey group,
I searched and didn't come up with anything. What are the most popular software choices for API 650 design software?
We currently use Compress for our ASME tanks... but now are starting to build a few API 650 tanks... would like to have a software that will function similarly to Compress.
TANK appears to be decent judging from the pictures.. but the trial version doesn't let you run any calcs.... which isn't very helpfull to me to test it out.
Any recommendations?
I searched and didn't come up with anything. What are the most popular software choices for API 650 design software?
We currently use Compress for our ASME tanks... but now are starting to build a few API 650 tanks... would like to have a software that will function similarly to Compress.
TANK appears to be decent judging from the pictures.. but the trial version doesn't let you run any calcs.... which isn't very helpfull to me to test it out.
Any recommendations?





RE: software recommendations for API 650 tank design
Check on whether any software you're buying includes Addendum 4 to API-650, as well.
RE: software recommendations for API 650 tank design
RE: software recommendations for API 650 tank design
RE: software recommendations for API 650 tank design
my conclusion is each project is different and requires correct interpretation of the Code.
Commercial Softwares do not give this flexibility..and
do not deal (to my knowledge) with the last wind, seismic issues (for instance).
In my case I use Matchcad in conjunction with Tank...
RE: software recommendations for API 650 tank design
RE: software recommendations for API 650 tank design
RE: software recommendations for API 650 tank design
RE: software recommendations for API 650 tank design
ITS checks for new builds via the internet similar to Compress, but the similarity stops there. None of the current API programs have anywhere near the sophistication of Compress. I believe 2 of the 3 available programs have only one person doing the programming. So programs typically take months to incorporate Add. changes. ETank is not working to the current add. in either API-650 or API-620 for example.
I have also received no email response yet from COADE tech support when requesting when Add 4 might be available in TANK, which I have demo'd, but not used.
When quoting over 100 designs a month a commercial program can be very useful, but you need to have sufficient familiarity with the code to determine when to question or suspect an error in the program. We have also had an independent P.E. review program output through the years.
The advantage of working with smaller vendors is that they are more open to user suggestions, (due to significantly smaller user base), and errors caught can sometimes receive corrected builds within a day. The risk is the limited level of QC can permit more errors to be released. I have found it advisable to check against in house hand calcs or spreadsheets or another API program to review and compare differences.
Unlike ASME software which has several mature options to choose from, there are no easy answers for API software. The commercial programs often have to be supplemented with additional calculations, but can be significant time savers once you verify their accuracy, especially at quotation stage (from a fabricators perspective).
I would suggest obtaining demos and talking to the 3 potential vendors to evaluate which if any would meet your needs.