AutoPIPE Features Overview
Bentley AutoPIPE is a stand-alone computer aided engineering (CAE) program for calculation of piping stresses, flange analysis, pipe support design, and equipment nozzle loading analysis under static and dynamic loading conditions. In addition to 22 piping codes, AutoPIPE incorporates ASME, British Standard, API, NEMA, ANSI, ASCE, AISC, UBC, and WRC guidelines and design limits to provide a comprehensive analysis of the entire system. AutoPIPE is available for Windows 98/NT/2000/XP and supports networked environments.
There are two versions of AutoPIPE: Plus and Standard. The Plus version offers several advanced analysis capabilities not available in the standard version which are detailed later in this chapter. A KHK2 Add-On option is also available for the Plus version that allows use of the Japanese KHK Level 2 piping code in addition to all the features of the Plus version. AutoPIPE is a proven, well established program which has been commercially available since 1986. AutoPIPE’s rigorous quality assurance practices have withstood numerous on-site audits, making AutoPIPE one of the few PC based piping programs approved for use in nuclear safety applications.
Developed to meet the needs of companies involved in industrial piping system design, AutoPIPE utilizes Windows-standard commands, object oriented graphics technology, and CAD interfaces to enable users to create, modify, and review piping and structural models and their results quickly and easily.
AutoPIPE is a recognized leader in analyzing piping systems for many applications including but not limited to the Nuclear Power industry, Process and Chemical plants, Offshore FPSO Platform and Riser design, Fire protection systems, Oil Refineries, cross-country gas and oil pipelines, FRP piping and building services piping.
A graphical representation of the model is displayed as it is being developed, providing instant visual feedback. AutoPIPE performs extensive error checking as the data is being entered and alerts the user if the model does not comply with the regulatory standards of piping design.
Using AutoPIPE’s object oriented graphical select options, users can insert, delete, or modify pipe properties, supports, or offsets across an entire range of points with one command. Graphical selection of ranges is also used for cut, copy, & paste operations.
Features Summary
The following is a partial list of the features and capabilities of AutoPIPE.
Properties And Component Libraries
AutoPIPE contains a comprehensive and extensible library of material properties and piping & structural components including pipes, reducers, tees, valves, flanges, beams, flexible connectors and other items. Supports include: anchors, spring and constant force hangers, one-way restraints, limit stops, guides, snubbers and tie-rods.
The material library includes temperature dependent properties and code dependent allowables. AutoPIPE provides component libraries for ASME/ANSI, JIS, DIN, and Nordic standards.
Hanger Design
AutoPIPE performs spring hanger design for one or more operating conditions. The program selects hangers from a customizable manufacturer's library, which includes: Grinnell, Bergen-Patterson, Lisega, NPS, and others.
Structural Modeling In Autopipe
AutoPIPE provides built-in structural analysis with frame elements to enable users to consider the mass and flexibility of structural supports as part of their piping analysis. AutoPIPE provides structural modeling options for user specified beta angles to orient beam local cross-section axes with global axes, rigid end lengths to account for the connectivity of end points to other members in the structural system, and end releases to model pinned connections. AutoPIPE’s unique two point support elements allow the user to define the connection between pipe and structural steel using gaps and friction at the same point if required.
The AISC structural library with cross sectional properties and a database of properties of commonly used structural steel materials is included within AutoPIPE. Users can easily define their own frame elements and steel materials to model frame elements not included in the AutoPIPE’s database.
Frame structures are created and modified in interactive mode using AutoPIPE’s graphical interface. In this manner, users can graphically copy, paste, or modify structures with one operation using AutoPIPE’s graphical select options or by clicking on a particular frame element.
Non-Linear Analysis Options
AutoPIPE provides directional supports, gaps, friction, bilinear spring supports and nonlinear buried pipeline analysis. Users can specify both gaps and friction at a support point to simulate real world boundary conditions. AutoPIPE provides 2-point restraint functionality to define tie rods with gaps, pipe/structure interaction, and other connectivity between any 2 points in the system.
AutoPIPE provides unique capabilities for nonlinear load sequencing. Users can, for example, specify that wind, seismic, or other occasional loads are analyzed in sequence immediately after the gravity load or specify that the occasional loads are analyzed after thermal. In this manner, users can accurately calculate loads and stresses for occasional loads acting on the operating position of the piping or the ambient position of the piping. Load sequencing options also allow the user to calculate gravity and thermal loads using nonlinear analysis and seismic loads using linear analysis (as recommended by UBC and other design standards) in the same run.
Local Stress Calculations
AutoPIPE provides a link to WinNOZL for calculations of local shell stresses per British Standard 5500, Welding Research Council bulletin 107, 297, and 368, using stress allowables and load combinations as specified by ASME Sec. VIII, Div. 1 and 2. Various piping load combinations on tanks can be examined in accordance with the API 650 code.
Further, AutoPIPE provides unique options for hillside nozzles and reinforcing pad calculations. These are available for cylinders, spheres, cones, semi-ellipses, and torispheres. The automatic importing of AutoPIPE piping loads saves time and minimizes user errors.
Finite Element Theory
AutoPIPE is a finite element program used to analyze piping and structural systems subjected to static and dynamic loads. Use of intelligent defaults allows the user to analyze complex systems without in-depth knowledge of finite element theory.
Dynamic Analysis
Dynamic analysis capabilities include mode shapes and natural frequencies, response spectra, phased harmonic load analysis, time history dynamic analysis and force spectra analysis. For modal analysis, AutoPIPE can automatically insert mass points along elements. Missing mass and zero period acceleration may be applied in dynamic analysis. AutoPIPE satisfies NUREG/CR-1677 benchmark problems and provides built-in NRC spectra, seismic anchor movements, and code case N411 capability.
AutoPIPE provides built-in fluid transient synthesizers for calculation of waterhammer, steamhammer, and relief valve forces, which are integrated with time history dynamic analysis. Utilizing the Bentley PULS program, users can calculate flow induced vibrations, or pulsations associated with reciprocating equipment, and automatically transfer those harmonic loads directly into AutoPIPE to calculate dynamic piping responses.
Equivalent Linear Analysis
Equivalent linear analysis capabilities are provided for the Japanese KHK Seismic Level 2 Add On. The KHK Level 2 piping code is a seismic requirement in Japan primarily intended to address industrial piping systems that may be subjected to large deformation with high local plasticity concentrated on the elbows (bends) as a result of an earthquake similar to the Kobe earthquake in January 1995. In this analysis each combination will undergo an iteration process until the flexibility factors converge within a specified tolerance for all bends. During each iteration, a linear analysis is performed for each combination in which the stiffness matrix is recalculated based on the modified bend flexibility factors.
Post Processing
After analyzing a system, users can click on the graphics model to instantly view stresses, loads, deflections, or mode shapes at any point. Color coded stresses, animated vibrations, and pop-up windows enable the engineer to more quickly identify and investigate critical areas without having to review a voluminous amount of batch output data.
Output report options allow users to pick and choose which reports to generate, with or without filters, for on-screen review or printing. Code stress combinations are performed automatically. Unique filter options allow the user to generate custom output reports based on user defined stress, deflection, or load criteria. AutoPIPE enables users to analyze multiple thermal, wind, seismic, wave, and dynamic loads all in one analysis with Min/Max load summaries.
Using AutoPIPE’s graphical select options, users can graphically select points to be included in the output report. As an example, a user could generate an output report for only 2 points in a 1,000 point model.
Piping Code Compliance
AutoPIPE checks and generates code compliance reports for the following piping codes:
· ASME B31.1, B31.3, B31.4, B31.8
· ASME Section III Class 2 & 3
· Canadian CAN/CSA – Z662
· British Standards BS 806 and BS 7159 (GRP Piping Code)
· Swedish Piping Code (SPC), Method 2
· Norwegian Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and TBK 5-6
· Dutch Stoomwezen D1101
· Japanese MITI 501, Class 3 piping, Japanese General Fire Protection code, and Japanese KHK Seismic Levels 1 & 2
· French RCC-M and SNCT
· European piping code standard EN 13480
· B31.4 Offshore, B31.8 Offshore & CSA_Z662 Offshore codes
CAD Interfaces
AutoPIPE can import CAD piping models from AutoPlant, PlantSpace, ProPIPE, and Intergraph PDS plant design systems.
AutoPIPE can export models back into AutoPlant or export models in DXF format into AutoCAD or MicroStation. Import and export of piping models between CAD and AutoPIPE can save man hours in the creation and checking of piping and structural models and prevent errors associated with manual entry of piping models.
Advanced Capabilities For Varied Piping Environments
AutoPIPE provides unique capabilities for underground and subsea pipeline analysis, dynamic loadings, nonlinear restraints, and orthotropic piping analysis. Following is a summary of advanced AutoPIPE capabilities:
Built-in wave loading, buried pipeline analysis, pipe/structure interaction, calculation of local stresses, time history dynamic analysis, fluid transient synthesizers, gaps & friction, relief valve load calculator, FRP/GRP pipe analysis, jacketed piping, and 25 piping codes.
AutoPIPE 2004 Edition Version 8.05.00.16 new features>>