How do I Import STAAD structure / displacements into AutoPIPE:
Please see the following AutoPIPE help section:
Help > Contents> Contents Tab> Command Reference> Inserting a model> Model From STAAD Using PipeLink. There are some step by step instructions.
However, there is additional information about this procedure available by selecting the hyper link for PipeLink Tutorial, as sown below:
Note: this hyperlink shown in the image above is to a file stored in the following folder:
AutoPIPE 09.05.xx.xx and lower:
C:\ Bentley\ AutoPIPE V8i SELECTseries\ Examples\
AutoPIPE V8i 09.06.xx.xx :
C:\Bentley \AutoPIPE V8i SELECTseries \Documents\
AutoPIPE CONNECT 10.01.xx.xx and higher
See AutoPIPE help mentioned above for details to dialog commands
Video: Avoid Project Design Non-conformances with Piping and Structural Interoperability.
Starting in STAAD then export the structure to evaluate combined structural and piping stiffness in AutoPIPE
Open STAAD model : Integ_sample1.std
Note: although the STAAD.Pro Model can be on the PW folder, the Pipelink file will need to be on a local drive (suggest same folder as AutoPIPE model). Using this method, one can run the analysis, access pipelink, import the pipelink file, transfer pipe support loads, and save the STAAD.Pro model back to the PW folder.
Click Use Blank to export PIPELINK file same as STAAD filename
Note: It is not necessary but desirable to have the same PIPELINK filename exchanging between STAAD & AutoPIPE. If click on the “Use Blank” button it will default to the STAAD filename. Otherwise browse to the PIPELINK file imported from AutoPIPE and only new data like the Structure, restraints, releases, offsets and/or structural displacements will be updated to the PIPELINK file
In AutoPIPE open INTEG_Auto1.dat
Note:
a. Log report of all the imported loads, beams, restraints, and connections.
a. Choose to review any of the imported supports connections and Accept or Reject the connection
Notes:
a. Complete Structure, Releases, Restraints, Deadloads, and Offsets are imported
b. All the Support connections are imported from STAAD and new nodes automatically assigned
View Results – max stress = 47% at Bend E05
Starting in STAAD then export the structural displacements to evaluate structural sway on the piping model in AutoPIPE
Check STAAD model : Integ_sample4.std
Check the option to create new nodes
In Piping Mode, Select Piping > Transfer Loads
This will define the mapping of AutoPIPE load cases to STAAD Primary or Reference load cases.
Note: Only displacement results for STAAD primary load cases can be exported to AutoPIPE.
One Recommendation for defining STAAD displacements to transfer to AutoPIPE is as follows:
Define the Pipe Gravity load (e.g. R1) in the Seismic definition so the mass of the piping system is considered in the static and dynamic seismic loading.The AutoPIPE seismic horizontal forces e.g. E1, E2 etc (static seismic 1 etc) at supports will be added to the corresponding seismic primary load cases as shown above when these piping seismic cases are defined as class = primary.
Open AutoPIPE model INTEG_AUTO4.dat
Note: Structural Displacements automatically applied to the pipe supports
Importing Support Displacements from STAAD to AutoPIPE only work when the piping loads are imported from AutoPIPE to STAAD as 'Primary' Loads.
Even if there are other load cases within STAAD that include the piping loads as Reference Loads, these will not be imported into AutoPIPE as Support Displacements.
Only E1 and E2 piping loads that were imported into STAAD as Primary Loads can be imported back into AutoPIPE as support displacement.
This workflow means that in order to include reactions from the structure itself in the AutoPIPE Support Displacements, structural loads must be included in with the Primary piping loads.
A new enhancement has been logged to add wind loads to structure. (TFS-E135281)
Insert> Model From STAAD Using PipeLink
Youtube Video - PipeLink - Simplified Integration
Bentley AutoPIPE