Here’s a quick look at a fairly new kid on the block, CSiPlant. This is a pipe stress program which I think has a bright future once it becomes better known. Its now my go-to stress software. That said, there are still feature gaps and a few issues to be ironed out. This is not … Read more
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
A client recently asked us whether vacuum may be a problem for her piping system. She was aware that the piping codes pointed to the external pressure check in ASME VIII Division 1. I won’t make this out to be a simple topic and indeed there is still ongoing research in the area. But for … Read more
This video presentation discusses challenges inherent to LNG piping, including large diameters, cryogenic temperatures, stainless steel materials, and large D/T ratios. It also covers various items which are not addressed by the B31 codes. Robert WeyerRobert has over 15 years’ experience in the mechanical engineering industry with proven expertise in mechanical and piping design. His … Read more
ASME B31.3 contains the footnote ‘Corrosion can sharply decrease cyclic life; therefore, corrosion resistant materials should be considered where a large number of major stress cycles is anticipated’. But what happens if carbon steel with high corrosion allowance has been selected and changes are out of the question? Or you may be assessing an existing … Read more
Quick summary This article may pique your curiosity if you’re interested in the finer details of pipe stress analysis, but if you’d rather just get the overall takeaway – Sustained bending stresses in ASME B31.3 2016 calculations are underpredicted at some branches As long as the stress analyst remembers to split the branch pipe model … Read more
The Salad Post-processor takes data exported from CAESAR II to do additional calculations and summaries. The software is now updated to version 1.40, and is available at no cost here. Lets go through some of the things you can do with this software . Make a summary of your stress model On one page you … Read more
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
For much of my career I have been involved in pipe stress analysis in some way, starting with Pipeplus by Algor, moving on to Triflex and then to CAESAR II. After I had a few years of part-time stressing under my belt, I landed a pipe stress role on a three-platform greenfields project in the Timor … Read more
In the past few years there has been an increased focus on the so-called ‘hot sustained’ stress in piping system analyses. The ASME B31.3 2006 edition clarified that Sustained stress requirements must be met for all operating conditions of a piping system. There had always been practitioners whose view was that any stress due to change in temperature should … Read more