Good software for mechanical calculations 1

[ercegs]

Hi,

can you tell me which software are you using for mechanical calculations? I'm interested in good software for mechanical calculation of heat exchangers.

Thank you in advance.

 

[FeX32]

With built in calculations?
If so, I don't suggest going that way.

Fe

 

[SnTMan]

ercegs, I use CodeCalc and to a lesser extent RCS for shell & tube design. Both good mech design software, except CodeCalc has NO tube layout function. RCS is very specialized to TEMA-type shell and tube heat exchangers.

It will very much depend on what KIND of heat exchangers you need to design.

Regards,

Mike

 

[zdas04]

I use MathCad--that way I know who to blame if an equation gets input wrong. Black box software scares me sensless, I spent 12 years developing it and I know what garbage goes undetected.

David

 

[FeX32]

Well put.

Fe

 

[ercegs]

I just wondered which software people use for this kind of a job. I had chance to try microprotol, and it is pretty nice software especially for heat exchangers, but during my work in it I found a lot of bugs, and wanted to see if there is something similar. I also use pvelite and codecalc.

 

[Twoballcane]

You should be doing your own hand calcs and then corelate with an CFD software. I use Flotherm. In flowtherm you can create a heat exchanger and then run the program and then compare answers to your hand calcs.



Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."

 

[Christine74]

Whatever you do, do NOT attempt to write your own software to do mechanical design of heat exchangers per Sect. VIII-1. It would take you months just to be able to calculate the required thickness of a tubesheet (Bessel functions, elastic-plastic calculations, etc.).

And of course you'd have to go back and reprogram everything every year when the new addendum to the Code comes out.

-Christine

 

[SnTMan]

Agree with Christine74 on that one. It was so simple before Part UHX. Sigh.... I miss the old days...

Mike

 

[FeX32]

hmm. Sounds like writing a thesis. Never thought it would be so difficult to write your own programs. (this is primarily what I am comfortable with as it ensures your understanding)
What is your alternative?

Fe

 

[SnTMan]

FeX32, well, examine Parts UHX 12, 13 & 14 and make up your own mind. I wouldn't want to write or maintain it, given that there seem to be extensive changes with each Addenda.

Alternative? Good quality canned software.

Regards,

Mike