What is Model explorer and where to find it?

Answer:

Selecting File > File > Model Explorer launches the Model Explorer utility, which makes searching for AutoPIPE models faster and easier by providing search and filter criteria and to specify the searched folders/subfolders. The Model Explorer utility can also copy the filtered models list to another location and facilitates exporting the grid’s table contents to a CSV file.

For more information on this utility, please refer to AutoPIPE help, and search for "Model Explorer"

Example to use:

Following is an illustration of how the model explorer can be used to locate models potentially impacted by a critical error (ex. 1304731):

Evaluate whether this defect has affected any existing models by considering the criteria below:

A. For codes other than ASME NB:

1. Does the model contain a tee?

2. Does the model contain an active code combination that contains a SAM or any dynamic load case?

A 'No' to one or more of the above criteria means that this defect does not affect the model’s results.

B. For ASME NB:

1. Does the model contain a tee?

2. Does the model contain an active code combination that contains a Force Spectrum or Harmonic load case?

A 'No' to one or more of the above criteria means that this defect does not affect the model’s results.

Inside of Model Explorer:

1. Open Model Explorer

2. Add model folders where AutoPIPE models are stored.

3. Enable filters by configuring any drop down listing. / check marks as needed.

A. For the requirements of Evaluation #1: Codes other than ASME NB:

Select the Piping Code Drop down and check all codes except ASME NB Nuclear code (ex shown below):

The list of files remaining are models not analyzed with ASME NB Nuclear.

b. Next Evaluation #1, 1. Contains Tee

Note, as of Jan 2024, there is no filter for Tee. Therefore, this requirement cannot be used to filter the list. However, most models contain at least one Tee, except pipelines, underwater lines, etc..

c. Next Evaluation #1, 2. Does the model contain an active code combination that contains a SAM or any dynamic load case?

Remember most added filters are equivalent to an "And" Boolean search. Another words, all of the models in the filtered list will need to satisfy all of the filter criteria, added together, there is no OR functionality at this time. Model Explorer has a list of filters for SAM and Dynamic analysis:

i. Includes SAM load cases(s)

ii. Includes Tim History Loadcases(s).

iii. Includes Response Spectrum Loadcases(s)

iv. Includes Force Spectrum Loadcases(s)

v. Includes Harmonic Loadcases(s)

First, add a filter for "Includes SAM Loadcases(s)", select the "Copy Filter model(s)" button, choose one of the drop down listing options, and follow on screen instructions.

Next, remove the "Includes SAM Loadcases(s)" filter by setting to "blank", and systematically add the next filter. Again, for each filter loadcase, press the "Copy filtered Models" button, and process the filter list. Repeat these steps for each of the 5 filter options mentioned above.

In the end, combine all of the filter listed models into a master grouping. These models meet the requirements of Evaluation #1.

D. Repeat similar steps to filer list of models that meet the requirements of Evaluation #2, For ASME NB:

i. Press Model explorer "Clear All Filters" button located near the bottom Left of the dialog.

II. Add filter for piping code = ASME NB Nuclear

iii. Process filters one at a time for "Force Spectrum" and "Harmonic load case"

iv. Again, press "Copy Filter model(s)" button, and construct a master list of model.

Once more, combine all of the filter listed models into a master grouping. These models meet the requirements of Evaluation #2.

Advanced Feature: Process Master list with Batch Generator

1. Open Batch generator

2. Add only 1 model for Batch processing and enable options to be performed on the model

3. Select "Generate Batch File" command to generate a BAT file.

4. After the Bat file opens, select the entire first line, and copy the information

5. Open MS Excel and paste the copied data to cell A1.

6. On the DATA tab, use Text to Column command, delineate into columns: AutoPIPE.EXE, File name, switches, ex shown below:

7. From Model explorer, if the filtered list of models was saved to "Details to CSV", the file could be then be opened in MS Excel.

8. Copy file location from here to the newly created Bat file opened in Excel, ex below

9. Copy Row 1, column A data down

10. Copy row 1, columns C to P data down

11. Delete Row 1, if not needed

12. Format the Excel data with the correct spacing and quotes as shown in the BAT file image above,

There are many methods of performing this task, this example will use an old school approach in Excel with quotes and ampersand formatting..

Assuming that your excel page arrangement of columns is similar to that here, enter the following into cell Q1.

=""""&A1&""""&" "&""""&B1&""""&" "&C1&" "&D1&" "&E1&" "&F1&" "&G1&" "&H1&" "&I1&" "&J1&" "&K1&" "&L1&" "&M1&" "&N1&" "&O1&" "&P1

Format:

4 quotes - 1 quote in the combination of data

& - Add / combine

" " - add number of spaces between quotes

13. Copy and paste the cell value (ex. Q1) down the column to the last row of data (ex.Q5).

14. Highlight all the data in the column where data was formatted (ex. column Q), copy data, open Bat file in notepad, and on the next blank line, paste the data.

15. Delete Line #1, if not needed,

16. Save the Bat file.

17. Run the BAT file.

Model Explorer - AutoPIPE

See Also