Hi,
To my understanding, AutoPipe uses only straight beam elements. Stresses in bends are accounted for by SIFs for different types of bends. The bends are shown visually, but are not used in the finite element analysis.
Is my understanding correct, or are curved beam elements used in AutoPipe?
Regards,
Andreas Landa
Hi Andreas,
AutoPIPE uses a circularly curved pipe (beam) element stiffness matrix, with the capability of introducing bend flexibility for bends analysis.
I think I accidently reported your message as spam , for which I don't know how to undo that - apologies.
Bilal Shah
Hi Bilal,
Thanks for a swift reply.
Will the stiffness of the bend be correctly modelled using AutoPipe's approach? We have seen quite large differences in stiffnesses by comparing beam and shell elements in a general finite element model.
Andreas
I believe this is a good question to piping code authors rather than to Bilal. In EN-13480 or equivalent ASME codes flexibility factor seems to be the one that is taken into account by default. You may customise it value if necessary.
Best regards,
Maciej Rydlewicz, PhD Eng.
maciej.rydlewicz@softdesk.pl
+48 512206994