You are currently reviewing an older revision of this page.
How to export model from AutoPIPE to STAAD using Export> Model to STADD using Pipelink (*.pipelink) command?
Answer:
See WIKI here.
Is the integration between AutoPIPE and STAAD.PRO software version dependent?
Yes, it is version dependent to a degree. You must have installed AutoPIPE V8i 09.03.xx.xx and higher, in addition, you must have installed STAAD 2007 and higher as these are the version where the PIPELINK command was first introduced. After that you can have any combinations of AutoPIPE to STAAD version as there is no feature requirements between the application versions.
Is there a limitation for exporting loads to STAAD using pipe link? if so how many?
Yes there is a limitation, no more than 332 load case can be exported by AutoPIPE V8i 09.06.00.xx and lower. This was logged under CAE-TR-11136 and will be fixed in AutoPIPE V8i 09.06.01.xx and higher.
Note: AutoPIPE combinations are not exported to STAAD, because Structural load combinations are different to Piping load combinations including different factors applied to different types of loads so only the load cases are transferred.
Can AutoPIPE export the beam structure to STAAD using pipelink?
Please see the following AutoPIPE help section: Help > Contents> Contents Tab> Command Reference> File Commands> Export> Model to STAAD Using PipeLink
As seen in the online help:
The following data will be exported:
Only those items listed above are exported to STAAD. As such, BEAMS are not listed and thus are not exported to STAAD. However, structure created in STAAD are able to be imported into AutoPIPE.
Will the exported piping model include weight and stiffness so we can do mode shape with structural model together in STAAD.Pro.
Please see the the Item #3 answer above for exactly what is exported by AutoPIPE to STAAD.
AutoPIPE's Geometry and loads can be seen in STAAD. However, the piping geometry does not have pipe properties, it is just a graphical representation showing the piping layout. The STAAD structural model is only able to import the support reactions as loads from AutoPIPE. Subsequently one can do a frequency analysis in STAAD in which these imported loads can be considered as masses along with the structural masses. The stiffness of the pipe cannot be considered.
A better option would to be exporting the STAAD structure back to AutoPIPE for a complete dynamic analysis the considers both piping and structure. See following file for workflow scenarios:
C:\ Bentley\ AutoPIPE V8i SELECTseries\ Documents\ PIPELINK_tutorial.pdf
It appears that the loads in AutoPIPE are not being exported to STAAD. Why?
Remember that all loads from AutoPIPE are imported into STAAD as reference Loads
At which time they can then be reconfigured as regular loads in STAAD (see STAAD online help for details).
When exporting a AutoPIPE model to STAAD the following screen appears and the "Close" button remains grayed out, why?
For larger models in AutoPIPE it takes a period of time to export all the data to a *.PIPELINK file. See the following as an example of the data printed to this dialog.
Only after the "Export to STAAD is completed..." line printed on the dialog (shown above) will the "Close" button be able to be pressed; closing this dialog and generating the *.PIPELINK file.
Using the Windows "X" in the upper right corner of the dialog, will cancel the command and the *.PIPELINK file will not be created. The Export> Model to STAAD command will have to be re-started, be patient and wait for the command to process the *.PIPELINK file.
On rare occasions, does the system fail to create a *.PIPELINK file given enough time. In such events, suggest the following approach,
Suggestion #1:
create a new model with the same general model options and use the Insert Model> AutoPIPE Model (*.dat) command to import the original model into a clean model. After the import is successful, be sure to review the Tools> Model listing report and Design Check report, making every effort to lower the number of occurrences to as few as possible. Continue to review the model to be sure all the load and settings are correct. Only after such review, then execute the "Export> Model to STAAD using PipeLINK" command again. This import process into a new model cleans the original database and flush out any problems that may have occurred in the original file.
Suggestion #2:
If the AutoPIPE model has Beams modeled, try deleting all the beams from the entire model, run an analysis, and try to export to STAAD PIPELINK. If successful, problem is related to a beam. Check for supports that are connected to split beam (TFS-149785).
When we are exporting the DAT file to pipelink file, we are not receiving the 'hydrotest' load combination in the pipelink load files. But in our older version we used to get the hydrotest loads.
Running a test using AutoPIPE V8i 09.06.02.06 and 09.05.xx.xx, when creating a hydrotest in both versions the load case is created as a separate Analysis set (i.e. Analysis set #2), shown below:
When imported into STAAD it will show up as a 2nd gravity load case, as shown below:
The Gravity 2 load cases imported is essential the hydrostatic load on the structure. When set up correctly there will be a difference between these loads case Gravity and Gravity(2) in STAAD.
When exporting model to STAAD, the supports are not aligned as in AutoPIPE, why:
Why and how to resolve.
We have discovered that the problem with the STAAD interop occurs when using numeric in AutoPIPE. The default node numbering is Alpha Numeric and when using this there is no problem with the mapping (TFS-D 666513).
Using Tools – Model Options – Edit Options change the node numbering to Numeric first hit OK and then to Alpha Numeric hit OK.
IF STAAD is Not installed on the computer, can AutoPIPE still export a file using PipeLink?
Yes, Export to STAADD using PipeLink is a command in AutoPIPE. See below.
Again, STAAD does not need to be installed to create a PipeLink file from AutoPIPE
Import and Export - AutoPIPE
AutoPIPE to STAAD Pipelink Database Conversion
Bentley AutoPIPE