
	Applies To

	Product(s):	AutoPIPE,
	Version(s):	2004, XM, & V8i
	Environment:	N/A
	Area:	Modeling
	Subarea:
	Original Author:	Bentley Technical Support Group

Attention: Please see the following AutoPIPE help section:
Help > Contents> Contents Tab> Modeling Approaches> Modeling Approaches>

This help has been provided in order to give users ideas for modeling typical piping arrangements. The steps shown in each example should not be taken as the only method available to create models. In addition, the intent of the examples is to present ways to create adequate models of specific piping components for analytical purposes.

          Anchors        Bends
          Cuts              Flexible Joints
          Frames         Hangers
          Nozzles        Pipes
          Reducers      Rotating Equipment
          Supports       Tees
          Valves           Vessels

Questions, and Answers:

How to model typical flanges in AutoPIPE V8i 9.6 and Lower:

In AutoPIPE V8i 9.6 and lower, flanges are a 1 point element with no length> The program only considers the flange weight and weld connection for SIF calculations. Assuming flange stiffness is same as the pipe is technically incorrect because a flange is more rigid than pipe. However, it does NOT affect analysis results to any significant extent. You can choose to model a flange as a single point or take into consideration the actual flange length.
See the following procedure to model the actual flange length:

A. Assuming a flanged nozzle connection to be anchord to a vessel, insert an anchor.
B. Insert a short run of pipe equal to the actual flange length.
C. Insert another pipe run and to the next node point in the model.
D. Insert a flange at Nozzle interface, in this example, start of the segment/anchor point. On the flange dialog, change Joint End Type = "User Defined", set "Joint SIF" = 1.0 (note: can use any joint end type connection so long as the SIF calculated is 1.0 at the flange point)
E. Select this short length of pipe representing the actual flange length, press Insert > Rigid options over Range (Include Weight = off, Include Thermal Expansion = off...pipe will be shown purple), and press OK button
F. Select the node point representing the flange connection to the pipe. Press Insert > Xtra Data> Joint Type user SIF. Selec the correct type of end connection or enter a user SIF.

(From AutoPIPE V8i 9.5)
Model a Anchor flanges:

Anchor flanges are considered to be buried within concrete.
Modeling approach:
A. On the segment where the flange is to be modeled, insert a node point (ex. B04) as the welded connection between he pipe and flange
B. Insert a Pipe run half the total length of the Hanger flange (ex. B05).
C. Insert another Pipe run with the same length as in Step B above (ex. B06).
D. Select the middle point of the flange (ex. B05), insert a flange component. On the flange dialog, change Joint End Type = "User Defined", set "Joint SIF" = 1.0 (note: can use any joint end type connection so long as the SIF calculated is 1.0 at the flange point)
E. Select both pipe runs (ex. B04-B05 & B05-B06), press Insert > Rigid options over Range (Include Weight = off, Include Thermal Expansion = off...pipe will be shown purple), and press OK button
F. Select both flange end points (ex. B04 & B06), Press Insert > Xtra Data> Joint Type user SIF. Select the correct type of end connection or enter a user SIF.
G. Connection to support: choose one of the following, model connection as simple supports or model with soil properties
i. Model connection as simple support: add additional node points (ex. B03 & B07) with rigid pipe properties as done is step E to represent pipe entombed in concrete. At the locations where the pipe enters the concrete add AutoPIPE supports or anchors as needed.

ii. Model connection with soil properties: add additional node points to represent pipe entombed in concrete. Insert Soil properties over same no points added. Select all the pipe with in the concrete and apply the correct soil properties to mimic concrete.
Model a Hanger flanges:

Hanger flanges are considered to be bolted to a structure.
Modeling approach:
A. On the segment where the flange is to be modeled, insert a node point (ex. B04) as the welded connection between he pipe and flange
B. Insert a Pipe run half the total length of the Hanger flange (ex. B05).
C. Insert another Pipe run with the same length as in Step B above (ex. B06).
D. Select the middle point of the flange (ex. B05), insert a flange component. On the flange dialog, change Joint End Type = "User Defined", set "Joint SIF" = 1.0 (note: can use any joint end type connection so long as the SIF calculated is 1.0 at the flange point)
E. Select both pipe runs (ex. B04-B05 & B05-B06), press Insert > Rigid options over Range (Include Weight = off, Include Thermal Expansion = off...pipe will be shown purple), and press OK button
F. Select both flange end points (ex. B04 & B06), Press Insert > Xtra Data> Joint Type user SIF. Select the correct type of end connection or enter a user SIF.
G. Connection to support: choose one of the following, model connection as simple supports or model with beam elements
i. Model connection as simple support: Insert AutoPIPE supports as need at the flange center point (ex. B05).
ii. Model connection with beams: Insert rigid beam elements from the flange center (ex. B05) to the actual bolted support connection (ex Sq beam). Add additional beams with the correct beam properties from the bolted support connection to the support structure that is correctly supported (ex. Angle beams).