Software for Custom ASME VIII Div 1 Pressure Vessels

[Doodler3D]

PV Stalwarts,

I was testing waters to see which software handles highly customized pressure vessels the best. Most of our designs were done via hand calcs that are nowhere close to ASME codes, especially when customers request those calcs. Moving over to ASME VIII Div 1 calcs through spreadsheets is quite a challenge as we deal with shells of varying thicknesses, sandwiched sections, flat heads, custom flanges, etc. As of now, we are working with ASME VIII Div 2 thru FEA, but the turnaround time is quite long and cost prohibitive.

PV Elite, COMPRESS, RCS, Finglow etc?

Applications are mainly for rectangular vessels and agitators containing solid powders that need to withstand deflagrations.

OR

In the case of custom vessels, is ASME VIII Div 2 the best way forward?

Thank you

 

[SnTMan]

DoodlerDaru, RCS is really oriented towards TEMA type shell & tube heat exchangers. You'd not be happy trying to get it to do anything else.

I am not particularly well acquainted with the other programs but PVE is pretty versatile. They all have trial versions I believe.

I'd say, most likely a design-by-rules approach should suit, whether Div 1 or Div 2. The 2019 Editions of either may offer advantages over previous Editions, but I am not familiar with the 2019 Editions.

BTW, very many, if not most, pressure vessels are "custom".

Regards,

Mike

The problem with sloppy work is that the supply FAR EXCEEDS the demand

 

[Doodler3D]

Thank you, Mike. PVElite seems to be the best, based on reviews. 'Custom' I meant weird or obscure.

 

[XL83NL]

The choice of design code seems a bit awkward in this discussion. It’s either one code or the other, although there’s no strict, hard line between doc 1 and 2, afaik.

Regarding software, I think your best bet is to continue using excel spreadsheets for those instances where software isn’t versatile enough.
We’ve been using PVE for a year now but I have been very disappointed in how flexible the program is. All vessels are custom, as SNT rightfully pointed out, but our vessels are not seldom a mile ahead when it comes to complexity. Compress seems a lot more flexibly to me, though I can’t confirm that based on personal experience. Its output is however excellent and very easy to read/understand.
As we need to have a piece of software that covers more than one code, we are limited in options. We for example also need EN 13445 and AD2000.
The VVD package by OhmTech seems to be much more flexible when it comes to customisation. I haven’t played with it a lot, but some of our vendors who need to do very custom designs seem to get the best modelling results with VVD. To me it’s miles ahead of PVE, but fortunately itS owned by Hexagon, so you can buy it as a package if I’m not mistaken.

Nevertheless, it’s always good to have a few selfmade sheets at hand for those instances the software doesn’t cover your application well. It’s also a good way to keep updated and familiar with the codes rules.

Huub
- You never get what you expect, you only get what you inspect.

 

[Doodler3D]

Thank you XL83NL