| Applies To | |
| Product(s): | AutoPIPE |
| Version(s): | ALL; |
| Environment: | N/A |
| Area: | Library |
| Original Author: | Bentley Technical Support Group |
| Date Logged & Current Version | Oct. 2016 10.01.00.09 |
Problem:
If a particular material is not in the default AutoPIPE material library, what options are available to add / update a material library?
Solution:
If a particular material is not in one of AutoPIPE's library files, there are 4 methods by which to enter a material data:
- Use NS on Pipe Properties Grids / Dialog
- User Updates & Compiles Material Source Libraries
- Bentley TSG Updates Library files with User Supplied Information
- Modify material library using AutoPIPE
***Important***
DO NOT mix piping codes with any material library. Example of mixing and matching:
If ASME B31.1 piping code was selected, selecting EURO2021.lib because it contains a specific material.
When selecting a piping code the program will automatically select a default Material library. These default libraries are formatted specifically for the selected piping code and year selections.
If a material is missing from the default library, use one of the 4 options below to add the missing material information into AutoPIPE. Otherwise, mixing piping codes with non default / or incorrectly formatted libraries can lead to significantly unconservative results.
| Option #1: Use NS on Pipe Properties Grids / Dialog |
On the pipe property dialog screen, select NS (Non-Standard) for the pipe material, and manually input values in the following fields: Cold allowable, Minimum Yield, Thermal Exp, Hoop modulus, Shear modulus, Density, Poisson's (Ratio), etc... Also, the user would need to provide the correct Expansion, Hot modulus, Hot allowable, etc.. for the corresponding temperature on the Press/Temp dialog screen. If the Temperature values change after entering this data, manually update all the temperature related values as needed.
| Option #2: User Updates & Compiles Material Source Libraries |
+++Warning+++:
Any changes to a default library is considered a custom file. Therefore being a custom module, Bentley cannot be held responsible for the inaccuracy of the new library content. It is your responsibility to verify all values and functionality of the new library.
All material library data is kept by AutoPIPE in files with the extension *.SRC. These files are properly formatted before being compiled into a file with the extension *.LIB by a tiny tool (Build.exe). To make these *.LIB files accessible as options inside of AutoPIPE, they must first be put into the proper subdirectory.
There are 2 methods of updating these AutoPIPE *.SRC material library files:
1. Any word editor
2. AutoPIPE's Library editor
Details on these procedures - click here
| Option #3: Bentley TSG Updates Library files with User Supplied Information |
+++Warning+++:
Any changes to a default library is considered a custom file. Therefore being a custom module, Bentley cannot be held responsible for the inaccuracy of the new library content. It is your responsibility to verify all values and functionality of the new library.
Supply the following information to Bentley, who will then compile a new material library file.
(Note. TSG has an MS Excel spreadsheet to help enter the correct data, please request it.
After receiving the spreadsheet, fill in the data using values with the correct units, and send back a Zip file containing the spreadsheet with highlighted PDF's of data sources for processing)
1. What version of AutoPIPE are you using? Help > About> 8 digit number
2. What piping code are you adding the material too?
3. Typical information required:
Material table:
1. Name up to 12 characters - (i.e. CS)
2. Description up to 20 characters - (i.e. Low Carbon Steel)
3. Density (lb/ft^3)
4. Poissons Ratio
5. Data for each row: (starting from lowest temperature to highest)
a. Temperature (F)
b. Expansion rate (in/100ft )
c. Hot modulus (Msi)
Spec Table section :
1. Name up to 12 characters - (i.e. A106-B)
2. Description up to 20 characters - (i.e. Carbon Steel)
3. Yield stress (ksi)
4. Data for each row:
a. Temperature (F)
b. Allowable stress (ksi)
c. Yield strength stress (ksi)
When the new material file arrives:
1. Copy the new LIB file into your AutoPIPE library folder
2. Start AutoPIPE, Select model to open
3. Change material library on General Model Options Dialog and choose the new material library
4. Verify values for various settings on both Pipe properties and Press/Temp/Pipe Id tabs of the input grid.
| Option #4: Update dialog |
AutoPIPE V8i 9.2 and higher:
This is not an option, as this ability was removed from AutoPIPE V8i 9.2 and higher; please select another option above.
AutoPIPE V8i 9.1 and lower:
Before proceeding, suggest creating a copy and renaming one of the library files in the AutoPIPE directory (8 characters max, old dos format). Use the following key strokes to update the library spec or material library:
1. Select Tools> Library
2. Table type = Specs or Material
3. Library name = select a library file from the list. (suggested copy , renamed file)
4. Action = Update
4. Press TAB key once
5. Type " autopipe "
6. Press TAB key once.
7. Press OK.
A blank display should pop up, allowing the user to enter in a new spec or material information.
Please see the following as an example of the dialog screen layout:
Note: Updating/Editing the libraries is only done in English units (except for Euromat.SRC file only).
Specification Table
To add a new SPEC
- Once the blank screen appears, enter data in the correct fields as described above.
- Click OK to the dialog and the new material will be added to the library and appear in the material drop-down list under the Pipe identifier dialog.
To modify existing SPEC information
- Print a copy of the Spec tables using the Action = Scan feature for a particular Library name.
- Access the update screen as previously instructed.
a. ANSI Spec = see Spec printout; select a Spec ID (i.e. A333-6, A53-A, ect..)
b. Press the Tab button 6x
c. Thickness = 9999, and press the tab button.
d. The entire table should now be populated with the existing library information.
e. Modify the values as required and press OK.
Note: Updating the library files using this method has limitations: the SPEC tables are limited to a maximum of 23 data pairs. Many of the existing materials have greater numbers of pairs than these limits, and if you fail to correctly update the data it could become corrupted and you will need to start over with the original file (which is why it was suggested to use a copy of the original file).
Material Table
To modify existing information:
- Print a copy of the Material and Spec tables using the Action = Scan feature for a particular Library name.
- Access the update screen as previously instructed.
To modify existing SPEC information:
a. Material ID = see printout; select a Material ID (i.e. CS, AU-TYPE 304, ect…)
b. Press the tab button 5x, the entire table should now be populated with the existing library information.
c. Modify the values as required and press OK.
Note: Updating the library files using this method has limitations: the MATLS tables are limited to a maximum of 15 data pairs. Many of the existing materials have greater numbers of pairs than these limits, and if you fail to correctly update the data it could become corrupted and you will need to start over with the original file (which is why it was suggested to use a copy of the original file).
See Also
Does AutoPIPE have my material?