Nozzle Pro – Unreinforced Tee

unreinforced branch meshed for FEA

The example will create a model in NozzlePro using minimal user input (3 clicks and 4 numerical entries) to obtain useful information.  This article will also highlight a somewhat controversial aspect of how the B31.3 code treats reducing tees (which is expected to change soon). One reason for the popularity of NozzlePro is that specified … Read more

FFS Interpolator

FEA model of corroded pipe with pressure bulge

Improve on API 579 Level 1 or 2 It’s been a while between posts, so let me say that I haven’t been completely idle – I’ve been cooking up a new web-based calculation app for engineers dealing with corrosion defects. On the surface, this application looks similar to the API 579 Level 1 assessment for … Read more

Determining SIF of Non-Standard Fitting

Lateral tee with crotch plate

Background Some instances in piping stress engineering we come across fittings not defined in ASME B 31.3, due to their sheer size and/or the diameter to thickness (D/t) ratio. Without understanding the stress intensification factors (SIFs) of fittings, flexibility analysis becomes impossible. This discussion is about how a challenge for the determination of SIFs of … Read more