Pipe Stress Analysis Software Engine
Pipe Stress Analysis Software Engine
(OP)
Good afternoon
I'm looking to purchase a pipe stress analysis software package for my Engineering & Consulting Firm. In a previous career I used DST PIPESTRESS in Nuclear QA applications. In my experience it wasn't very user friendly and didn't mesh with any CADD design activities
I was wondering if forum members could offer any pipe stress software that they recommend or commonly defined as "Industry Standard" for B31.1 & B31.3 piping applications (NON-Nuclear). Any other benefits/experiences/lessons learned would be appreciated.
I'm considering the following software packages:
DST Pipestress
CAESAR II
CAEPIPE
Thank you
Jeff
I'm looking to purchase a pipe stress analysis software package for my Engineering & Consulting Firm. In a previous career I used DST PIPESTRESS in Nuclear QA applications. In my experience it wasn't very user friendly and didn't mesh with any CADD design activities
I was wondering if forum members could offer any pipe stress software that they recommend or commonly defined as "Industry Standard" for B31.1 & B31.3 piping applications (NON-Nuclear). Any other benefits/experiences/lessons learned would be appreciated.
I'm considering the following software packages:
DST Pipestress
CAESAR II
CAEPIPE
Thank you
Jeff





RE: Pipe Stress Analysis Software Engine
RE: Pipe Stress Analysis Software Engine
RE: Pipe Stress Analysis Software Engine
I used AutoPIPE and Ceasar II. Both work well and user friendly.
For what purpose you'd like to purchase it?
Curtis
RE: Pipe Stress Analysis Software Engine
RE: Pipe Stress Analysis Software Engine
First, I learn AutoPIPE because company I worked for has it. I spent about 2 weeks, 1-2 hours after work every day, to go through tutorials to be able to start my first project.
We used to design and built thermal oil energy systems. It is usually carbon steel pipe, up to 8"-10" max, B31.1 or B31.3 depending on client. We used to have static analysis only. For ceismic also use equivalent static analysis.
AutoPIPE has a small interactive window, which have coordinates of node being entered, you enter your nodes one after another. In a bottom of the screen, you have a table where you can see all of your entries.
Then I moved to another company, they had Ceasar II. Different kind of projects B31.1 and B31.3 codes of construction. Static or equivalent static in place of dynamic analysis. It took me about a week, 2-3 hours a day to learn how to built in Ceasar II. In the beginning I didn't like it. It looked claterred with a windows which has a lots of parameter entries. But little by little I start appreciate that big window where you can enter or change all parameters of your system. I guess, I get used to work in AutoPIPE before. I'm sure if I move to AutoPIPE, I'm gonna miss Ceasar II.
In my personal opinion, both are good software. I think, cost wise also full versions of both softwares are comparable. Except, Coade offers limited to 50 runs Ceasar II for around $1,200. This may be suitable for mechanical engineers who do not have a lots of pipe stress projects, who has smaller and simpler and more predictable systems.
Regards,
Curtis
RE: Pipe Stress Analysis Software Engine
I think they're both great products I don't think you can go wrong with either for B31.1 and B31.3. I haven't used either program in about 5 years now though, so take that into account.
Regards,
K
RE: Pipe Stress Analysis Software Engine
RE: Pipe Stress Analysis Software Engine
RE: Pipe Stress Analysis Software Engine
RE: Pipe Stress Analysis Software Engine
AP has the same 3 node elbow model. No difference in this instance.
In order to avoid this kind of situations, I try to keep code stress values below 80% if possible. It is always a good practice to redistribute stress levels more evenly to entire system and minimize forces and moments at equipment nozzles. I have most headaches from nozzle loads, and usually do not come close to allowable code stress levels.
You will see high stress levels in piping most often in high temperature and/or high pressure systems, with code stress values above 80%.
Regards,
Curtis
RE: Pipe Stress Analysis Software Engine
Or when one has very high pressures where the hoop itself, regardless of pressure, already 'consumes' &0% of the code allowable.
RE: Pipe Stress Analysis Software Engine
RE: Pipe Stress Analysis Software Engine
I was just pointing out that Caesar and AP do not output the maximum stress automatically in a bend. Just something to remember and consider.
RE: Pipe Stress Analysis Software Engine
RE: Pipe Stress Analysis Software Engine
Well, in my experience it's the stress engineer who stamps the isometrics (in jurisdictions where this is required) so that role cannot be easily off-shored.
RE: Pipe Stress Analysis Software Engine
So what has your comment got to do with what I said - Answer: nothing
RE: Pipe Stress Analysis Software Engine
A pipe stress software give info at a node. If you don't set a node at proper location on a straight pipe, you wouldn't get the maximum stress on the straight pipe. About bend, it's relatively simple. You are always able to twist it (add more nodes, and make sure bending moments not exceeding certain values). How about tee. You cut a hole in pipe and stick a branch on top of it, do you really think tee flexibility is 1.0, and it has nothing do to with the branch size (same for SIF). To compare tee to bend, it's like compare cancer to fever.