Problem:

How do I Import STAAD structure / displacements into AutoPIPE:

Solution:

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. 

PIPELINK – Import STAAD Structure into AutoPIPE

Starting in STAAD then export the structure to evaluate combined structural and piping stiffness in AutoPIPE

Open Existing STAAD Model

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.

Analyze STAAD Model

Export to AutoPIPE using Pipelink - (Piping > Export)

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

Open AutoPIPE Model & Import Pipelink Model

In AutoPIPE open INTEG_Auto1.dat

Review Import Logs and Resulting Structure & Connections

Note:

a. Log report of all the imported loads, beams, restraints, and connections.

Note:

a. Choose to review any of the imported supports connections and Accept or Reject the connection

Model saved as “INTEG_AUTO1a.DAT” for reference

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

Analyze Combined Structure & Piping in AutoPIPE

View Results – max stress = 47% at Bend E05

PIPELINK – Import STAAD Structure displacements into AutoPIPE

Starting in STAAD then export the structural displacements to evaluate structural sway on the piping model in AutoPIPE

Open Existing STAAD Model with connected piping system

Check STAAD model : Integ_sample4.std

Re-Run STAAD Piping Connection Wizard

Check the option to create new nodes

Transfer Piping Loads to Structure

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.

Export to AutoPIPE using Pipelink - (Piping > Export)

Open AutoPIPE Model & Import Pipelink Model

Open AutoPIPE model INTEG_AUTO4.dat 

Review Pipe Support Displacements

Note: Structural Displacements automatically applied to the pipe supports

Limitations to STAAD import:

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)

See Also

Insert> Model From STAAD Using PipeLink

Youtube Video - PipeLink - Simplified Integration

Bentley AutoPIPE