Note: see alternative approach here:

Overview

The STRAIT Translator program is required to convert a Intergraph PDS 3D piping model to AutoPIPE. This includes geometry, pipe sizes, wall thickness, materials, insulation, supports, valves, flanges, weights etc.

The STRAIT Translator is provided, at no charge when AutoPIPE V8i is installed. This application requires a little effort in setting up. This process usually takes about 2-3 iterations to make modifications to the companies PDS Custom configuration and/or STRAIT mapping, since every company has their own unique PDS customization. See the following Data Sheet for complete details on the application.

 To name a few companies that are saving time and money using this application to convert files from PDS to AutoPIPE:

Conversion process:

General Workflow:

Intergraph:

PDS Stress Analysis Interface (PD_Stress -> PDS model neutral file (*.n)

STRAIT:

Import PDS model File (*.n) convert to AutoPIPE model neutral file (*.ntl)

AutoPIPE:

Open AutoPIPE neutral file (*.ntl) and save as AutoPIPE program file (*.dat)

Download the following avi to view this process:  click here

We have found in the past if we send the STRAIT software to users to evaluate, very soon they come back and insist it does not work and do not pursue the Bentley software product. This is why we prefer to translate several of your PDS models to AutoPIPE, let you review the translated AutoPIPE model vs. the original PDS model to give confidence in the accuracy and completeness of the stress model, and then send all the completed configuration files..

As mentioned, with any PDS setup there is usually an amount of custom configuration of CAD components. Therefore any out-of-box solution may not work the first time. We would suggest:

Download and install STRAIT:

STRAIT is now bundled with Bentley AutoPIPE download and installation. Please follow the procedure to download and install the current version of Bentley AutoPIPE V8i 09.02.xx.xx and higher. The program will automatically be installed with AutoPIPE

Generate a PDS model neutral file:

1. First make sure that the Intergraph PDS pipe stress extraction module is installed. Intergraph calls it PD_STRESS or a similar name. Many PDS users have not even installed this module which comes standard with PDS.

2. Select an example PDS model that you would like to extract. Make sure that it has gone through a consistency check good enough to extract an Isometric.

3. The name of the Intergraph defaults file is DEFAULTS.DAT. Do not use defaults.dat, but instead use the attached defstr.dat and strmap.tbl files
   
   NOTE: Ensure the following path in the DEFSTR.DAT file points correctly to the STRMAP.TBL
   c:\win32app\ingr\pdstress\dat\strmap.tbl !PDS TO STRESS MAP [modify path as necessary]

4. Once the .n file has been created, load it into the STRAIT program.
   
   NOTE: Please note that there is a facility within Intergraph PDS which allows users to assign a stress ID to an entire system for extraction of pipe stress neutral files as an alternative to extracting 1 line at a time. The documentation still shows information on the old DOS STRAIT version but the options are all the same.

Typical detailed procedure to Create PDS stress neutral file either by line number or Stress_system_no. AFTER the configuration above hass been completed.

1. 1. Revise segment data
      
      
      
      
   2. Define Active Group…search criteria…fluid code …
      
      
      
      
      
      
   3. Identify reference point and data any point in the model…and accept it will highlight the piping in the active group defined
      
      
      
      
   4. Toggle brief segment data to see the complete segment data list and revise the stress_system_no 
      
      
      
      
   5. On PD shell - pick Pipe Stress Analysis
      
      
      
      
   6. Fill in model name and stress_system_no under pipeline names
      Note: The pipeline names = line number  if word 12 = 0 or 2  in defstr.dat
      
      
      
      
   7. .n file will be created in the stress output node path

Convert a PDS file to AutoPIPE file format:

1. Start STRAIT, select Browse button, locate the systemname.N file created from PDS and select the Open button.

2. Press the edit button to modify the configuration settings, press OK button to get back to the main screen.

3. Press the Convert button to start the conversion process. You should see the conversion status screen scrolling and then after a short time, stop scrolling.

4. If all the configuration files and settings were correct, you should see: Neutral File Successfully Processed. (If not, more modifications to the configuration files and / or settings is required).

5. When successfully converted, an AutoPIPE model neutral file (systemname.NTL) is created in the STRAIT folder or designated folder..

6. Copy the systemname.NTL file to a new folder for your AutoPIPE models.

7. Open AutoPIPE, select File> Open> AutoPIPE Batch (.NTL), locate your newly created systemname.NTL file, press Open button.

8. The model should now appear.

9. Select File> Save, this will generate the AutoPIPE model file (systemname.DAT).

 LIMITATIONS:

1. Cannot create PDS stress neutral file for disconnected lines

2. Component limit of 800 which is roughly 800 nodes as well.

3. Unknown components mapped to pipe ID = RIGID

4. Possible disconnects in PDS model = unstable system in AutoPIPE 

5. Mapping a dummy leg to a frame cannot be done.

6. Mapping a hanger to a tie rod is not possible to map to a tie-rod since it must have a connected to point instead of ground.

7. Line numbers - 14 characters can be used mix of alpha-numeric and numeric.

Comments, Questions, and Answers

1. Troubleshooting Bentley STRAIT issues

2. See the following for PDS Stress Interface User’s Guide Document

See Also

Bentley AutoPIPE