| Applies To | |
| Product(s): | AutoPIPE |
| Version(s): | ALL; |
| Area: | Modeling |
| Date Logged & Current Version | March 2024 23.00.01.367 |
Problem:
Given the following pipe arrangement, AutoPIPE example model Walkthru.APC).
Problem #1:
Engineering change order was received changing the piping arrangement as followed:
1. Insert a 12x8 reducer fitting bound to the top side of the valves at A02 and A07.
2. Reducer to be fitting bound to the elbows at A04 and A06.
3. Piping between the reducer and segment b to be increased to 12"
4. Connection at B04 cannot move.
How would all of these changes be accomplished?
Problem #2:
2 hours later a 2nd Engineering change order was received.
1. All Piping is to be 12 in
2. All valves are to be changed from flanges and remain 8" with reducers fitting bound.
Again, how would all of these changes be accomplished?
Solution:
See solutions #1 and #2 below.
| Solution #1 |
There are a number of approaches to be used, here is one approach
Step #1: Change Segment B pipe size to 12".
Select Segment B, select Modify> Pipe properties over range, enter new pipe id and update Nominal pipe wall setting.
Following messages appear:
---------------------------
Note
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N730-2: Specified pipe range overlies a valve and/or
flange, check valve/flange properties
---------------------------
OK
---------------------------
and
---------------------------
Error
---------------------------
E732-3: Not enough clearance to fit bend B03
Run 'Analysis/Consistency Check' command to review
other bends with clearance problems.
---------------------------
OK
---------------------------
Step #2: Modify bend so to have enough clearance to be drawn but not to violate the change order item #4.
Select the Bend tab on the input grids and change B02 radius from 3D to Long.
Step #3: Modify pipe properties from Node points A04 to A06
Select / highlight Node points A04 to A06, again, select Modify> Pipe properties over range, select PIPEID drop down and select 12, new PIPEID added above.
Step #4: Find fitting dimensions for 12x8 reducer, 12 LR bend, and 8-300# weld neck Flange
Step #5: Stretch the 2 valves on the vertical runs up so Valve, Flange, Reducer, Bend will be fitting bound.
Bend, Reducer, and Flange vertical measurement = 18 + 8 +1.625 = 27.625", current distance from Valve end (A03) to TIP of bend (A04) = 3'-10". Therefore stretch the valve 18.375" up.
Using mouse draw a crossing window around the valves, press keyboard F6 key, with the valves selected, choose the Home ribbon> Move / Stretch command> Dy = 18.375", and press OK button.
Repeat similar steps to move / stretch valve A07 to the correct location, (Dy = 12.375").
Step #6: Insert Flange length as a new run between valve and bend
Select Node point A03, Insert> Run> distance = 1.625", generate node point A13
Step #7: Insert reducer length = 8", creating node point A14 directly atop of bend Near point A04N. (Note, never a good idea to have 2 node points in AutoPIPE in the same point in space).
Question: why is the reducer not drawn correctly?
Answer: incorrect PIPE ID selected across the reducer.
Open the Press/Temp/PipeID tab on the input grids. and find the reducer from A13 to A14. What are the PIPEId settings?
Answer, exactly the same.
Modify A14 PipeID = 12.
Step #8 Repeat similar steps to Left vertical pipe valve
Make Node point A07 the current point, Insert> Run> Before> Length = 1.625" (flange thickness), generates A15.
Next, Insert> Reducer> Before> Length = 8".
This time the correct pipe size was used.
Step #9: Done!!!
| Solution #2: |
Once more, there are a number of approaches to be used, here are 2 approaches. Long and Short
Long Approach Step #1:
Change remaining piping below valve to 12" dia.
Recall above the solution selected a pipe range and used a modification over range command, this time use Press/Temp/PipeID tab on the input grids.
Open the Grids, and change the Pipe ID setting for the piping starting at the anchor (A00), up to the valve (A02).
Repeat for piping A08 to A10.
Step #2:
Convert Flanged valve to Welded valve.
Open Valve tab on the input grids and change Joint end type from Weld Neck to Butt Weld.
Notes:
1. The valve symbol has been update from Flanged to welded. However the Valves' Main End setting remains FL. Why?
At this time, March 2024, the joint end type field on the grids is not connected to the Main End field. Therefore, manually open each valve dialog and adjust the setting as needed.
2. When changing to a welded valve, the length of the valve will need to be updated (of course it is a completely different valve body configuration), which will directly affect the reducer, but this will be fixed later. This change will also cause an Model consistency check message, 179.9 kink as evident in the point grids node point table.. A01 to A03 +ve up, A03 to A13 -ve down, and A13 to A14 + up again. KINK... (this will be fixed later)
Again, repeat same modifications to the valve at A07 to A08.
Step #3:
Delete flanges around valves
Select Flange tab on the input grids and delete all flanges on segment A.
Step #4:
Stretch / Move valve to correct location to be fitting bound.
Top of valve should be 18" (long rad elbow) + 8" (reducer) = 26" from Bend TIP point.
Measure current distance from TIP to top of valve
Right Leg = A04 to A03 = 1' 9.625"
Left leg = A06 to A07 = 2' 3.625"
Therefore
Right Leg = 26" - 21.625" = 4.375" down
Left leg = 26" - 27.625" = 1.625" up.
Right Leg:
Select Valve A02- A03> Move/Stretch> Dy= -4.375"
Left Leg:
Select Valve A07- A08> Move/Stretch> Dy= 1.625"
Current model:
Step #5:
While performing the move/stretch command above, there are now 2 pipe runs with 0.00 length.
In order to fix these runs, delete both reducers and reinsert them.
Select ribbon> Piping Components > Reducers, with both reducers highlighted Red, press the Delete button.
Right Leg:
Make A03 the active point> Insert> Reducer> length = 8", press OK button 2x.
Left Leg:
Make A07 the active point> Insert> Reducer> Before, length = 8", press OK button 2x.
Open Press.Temp/PipeID tab on the input grids and change PIpe ID = 12 setting for A13- A04.
Step #6:
With a correct model, insert reducers below both valves
Right Leg:
Make A02 the active point> Insert> Reducer> Before, length = 8", press OK button 2x.
Left Leg:
Make A08 the active point> Insert> Reducer> length = 8", press OK button 2x.
Done!!!
Short Approach
Starting point
Step #1:
Delete all vertical components
Select ribbon> Press Reducer button and then Valves button to select items red, and press the Delete button
Next, On the flanges tab of the input grids, delete flanges on segment A.
Delete remaining node points on vertical pipe, A03 and A08.
Step #2:
Make A06 the active point> Insert> Run> Length = 18" (long rad elbow)
With A07 the active point> Insert> Reducer> Length = 8", press OK 2x.
With A08 the active point> Insert> Valve> Main end = Bw, Length = default, Valve weight = Auto, Actuator = Symbol check box, Actuator weight = 1000, Dz = -18", Joint end type = Butt Weld. press OK.
With A13 the active point> Insert> Reducer> Length = 8", press OK 2x.
Open Press/Temp/PipeID tab on the input grids, change Pipe ID = 12 setting for A14 to A10
Step #3:
Make A04 the active point> Insert> Run> Before, Length = 26 [18" (long rad elbow) + 8" (reducer)]
With A15 the active point> Insert> Valve> Before, all of the previous settings should have been used, press OK button
With A16 the active point> Insert> Reducer> Before, Length = 8", press OK 2x.
Make A15 the active point> Insert> Reducer> Length = 8", press OK 2x.
Open Press/Temp/PipeID tab on the input grids, change Pipe ID = 12 setting for A00 to A17, and A18 to A04N
Optional
Renumber the model
| Conclusion |
AutoPIPE is an impressive software application designed for stress analysis. The modeling process is user-friendly, as it involves inserting components by setting an Origin point in space and then inserting subsequent components in a Dx-Dy-Dz direction. This method is repeated for each point to the end of a segment. Segments can be joined and split to make up almost any piping arrangement. It is important to note that certain components have limitations, such as the inability to use a bend component as a base point in coping or inserting a valve before a reducer, etc..
The illustration above highlights the numerous approaches available for achieving modification objectives. Should a particular method be restricted within the program, it is advisable to stop and think of other alternatives. If you encounter any obstacles in modeling, feel free to log a technical support case or call Bentley AutoPIPE for assistance.
See Also
Reducer Piping Components - Modeling Approach