Applies To Product(s): AutoPIPE, Version(s): 2004, XM, & V8i Environment: N/A Area: Interface Subarea: Original Author: Bentley Technical Support Group Note: detailed information about AutoPIPE's interface can be found in the following file with the program: C:\ Bentley\ AutoPIPE V8i SELECTseries\ apdoc.pdf INTERFACE: The AutoPIPE interface is designed to simplify the task of creating, modifying, and reviewing models of any complexity. Take some time to familiarize yourself with AutoPIPE’s interface by examining the areas of the screen annotated below. Note: the units for any dialog field entry is always located in the lower right hand corner of the application screen, as shown above. If this field is blank, the unit value is dimensionless. The displayed units are dependent upon the specified library located underTools Model Options General Units file name - Input: / Output. ENTERING DATA INTO DIALOG SCREENS: One of the main interfaces in AutoPIPE is by entering data into many of the programs dialog screens. These dialog screens are dynamically interactive; meaning that there is a specific order in which the dialog expects data to be entered, this sequence of data / options selected / check boxes may convert subsequent dependent fields to be Greyed-out / Close or become Un-greyed / Open to allow a user to enter data. The best method for interfacing with any of AutoPIPE's dialog screens is by using the Keyboard "Tab" key. When a dialog screen appears, press TAB key to progress through the pre-determined sequence of field selection; when on a specific field, enter data as required. This will ensure that the program is getting the correct information in an order to dynamically adjust the dialog based on the selection / check boxes / data entered. If you encounter a problem on a dialog, please log a service request using the following procedure . KEYBOARD EQUIVALENTS: As you begin creating a model, you’ll soon become familiar with AutoPIPE’s use of dialogs to gather information from the user. Although the mouse can be used to navigate through the fields of a dialog, many users prefer the keyboard alternatives. Refer to the table below. UNDERSTANDING THE ACTIVE POINT: After defining and inserting a segment, you’ll notice that a small cross-hair appears in the drawing area. This cross-hair represents the currently active point. The active point is also displayed in the status area immediately below the drawing area (see image above). When placing components, you should remain aware of the active point. After selecting a component type for insertion, AutoPIPE will automatically assume that you want the starting point of the component to be inserted at the active point. By default, AutoPIPE will increment the point to the next value and concatenate this with the letter that defines the current segment. For example, if you are inserting a run point on Segment A that contains nothing but an anchor point, the Run Point dialog will contain the value A01 in the Name of Point field. MODIFICATION OF PIPING GEOMETRY: It is not necessary for a piping system to be defined completely in a single AutoPIPE session, because AutoPIPE allows a wide variety of additions, deletions, and changes to be made. In particular: 1. New segments can be added at any time. 2. Previously defined segments can be extended at any time. 3. Existing segments can be modified, or can be deleted and replaced. 4. A complete system, or sections of a system, can be copied within the same job or between separate jobs with automatic renumbering. 5. Components can be inserted, deleted, or modified at any time. EXECUTING A COMMAND: Commands can be executed in one of three ways: .. Click on one of the buttons in a toolbar. .. Select a command from the menu system .. Key-in the command. The hotkey for each command is underlined in the menu system. As an example, to insert a bend, simply type I to go into insert mode, then B . The key-in command option requires memorization of certain hotkeys, but is an extremely efficient method of input. See Apdoc.PDF indicated above for more valuable information. Segments: The model is divided into Segments which is helpful to identify and select different parts of the model. Typically, a new segment means a new branch. Segments have a direction - learn this. It is critical for insertion of points, and for interpretation of output results. Also, using View/Segment menu, users can turn on and off segments for viewing and making changes to the model. Using the Select Segment icon, users can select by segment. Segment modeling tips to minimize the total number of segments and facilitate making modifications later. NOTE : A header, where possible should be coded as one segment. All branches should be separate unique continuous segments and avoid coding the same segment through the header to the branch or vice-versa. Unique segments should be coded from Tee to Tee or Equipment anchor to Tee or Anchor to Anchor or Manifold header Start to End. Avoid junction points i.e. 2 connecting segments in a straight pipe run. Pipe Identifiers: A segment can be made up of multiple pipe identifiers where a pipe identifier contains all the properties of the pipe for example; pipe size, schedule, insulation, material etc. Therefore to change a property like pipe material use Modify properties of pipe identifier. To define completely different properties of a section of the model like new pipe size, use Select Range (selected points = highlighted RED) then use Modify Pipe Properties Over Range... , an existing pipe identifier can be selected from the drop-down list or ENTER a new 8 character name. Inserting An Intermediate Point Or Multiple Points Between Existing Points: Click once on the point either before or after where you want to insert. TC Click the "Pipe Run" icon. NOTES: The Pipe run icon has a field for "Generate Points" (see below). Type the number of intermediate points and length (a default length will be shown e.g. 1 point = midpoint between 2 existing run points) between them if more than 1. You can add a single point or multiple points either After (After is default) or Before an existing point. Before and After refers to the segment direction which the model is built. HINT : Very useful for quickly creating equally spanned support points on a pipe rack. Changing Offset Lengths: If you check the box "Apply offset to all following points", it will do exactly that. For example; if change the offset from 3 to 10 then all downstream points move the same change in offset = 7. If you don't check this option, it "slides" the point without changing the overall length of the system. Try clicking on a run point and changing offsets both ways to see for yourself. See screen below: HINT : This function is also available from the right click menu in the Point Input grid. Zoom: The fastest way to zoom is to create a box window by holding down left mouse key and dragging over the area to be zoomed, then right mouse click once to zoom. This is way faster than having to click on the zoom icon each time. NOTES : Use dynamic zoom by right mouse click once to change the cursor from Pan (hand) to Zoom (magnifying glass) to Rotate. Also use the mouse scroll wheel for fast dynamic zoom on the mouse cursor. Also Zoom topic above. Like CAD - 4 or 2 or 1 viewport can have different zoom settings which are saved when the model is closed. So when model is opened again - screen settings are at the same location as when the session was closed. Navigating: For navigating on the graphics model itself to go from point to point, use mouse clicks or use the arrow keys to navigate through the model . Arrow keys are often faster than mouse clicking. For dialog screens, use the tab key to progress to the next field, Shift Tab to go back to a previous field, or mouse click to go to any desired field. To close a dialog, it's usually faster to press the Enter key instead of mouse clicking the OK box. To Check Model Connectivity: Use the left and right keyboard arrow keys to move the cursor along the pipe from point to point. If the cursor stops but looks like more piping then use the up/down arrow keys to ‘jump' to the next segment (segment name changes at bottom right corner) while the point name stays the same. If the cursor does not jump to the next segment then this point is a ‘free' end point and disconnected from the remaining model. At a tee point use the up/down arrow keys to ‘jump' to the branch or header segment - the tee arrows will highlight red to indicate whether the cursor is on the branch or header side. NOTE: A tee point may have 2 or 3 segments intersecting it. HINT: Use AutoPIPE's V8i new Connectivity Checker, which will scan the model and check for points within a node tolerance that are not connected along a segment. In addition, AutoPIPE V8i 9.4 and higher added a new feature under Select Connected Segments See Online help for details on this feature. Selection Sets: Not available in other Pipe Stress programs. Just as with Microsoft Word or other windows applications, you first ‘select' what needs to be modified, then they modify it. Modifications are the same in AutoPIPE. With AutoPIPE, there a number of ways to select ranges: click on one end, then hold shift key down and click on the other end. The Select Segment tool allows you to select by segment The Select menu allows you to select by component (for example, select only flange points, or flex joints). Select single points using the Ctrl key. Selection sets can also be used for inserting or deleting across ranges of points or components. Examples: Paste across ranges, insert or delete supports across range, insert User SIF for all bends or Tees, Insert soil or distributed loads across range or modify temperature & pressure for range. Selection sets are very important in using AutoPIPE. HINT : If you don't understand selection sets, you're not efficiently using AutoPIPE. Use the Shift key to select multiple, continuous points. Use the CTRL key to select multiple, non-continuous points: AutoPIPE allows you to select Ranges or Component Groups and apply Loads, Supports, Soil, and many kinds of data to those selections, instead of having to simply modify one element at a time. View Color Plot or Other Information on the Model Graphics.... AutoPIPE V8i 9.4 and Lower: AutoPIPE enables users to graphically view the model by Pipe diameter, schedule, wall thickness, pipe material, Pipe identifier, etc. There is also the option to filter using Boolean logic (e.g view all 6" and schedule 40 pipe in the model). Check this feature out as it is very useful for checking and verifying input. Select View Show Pipe Properites ... Specify the pipe criteria. The viewport is given a legend with the pipes displayed. AutoPIPE V8i 9.5 and higher The new feature enables the user view a color plot or pop-up information in a multitude of different styles: Properties: Point Names, Beam Names, Point Symbol, Length, Support Tag Components : Valve, Flange, Tee Xtra Data: Weight, Concentrated Forces, Imposed Displacements, Thermal Anchor Movements, Joint Type, User Weld Efficiency Factor, Point Static Earth Quake Factor, Reference Point, Gross Discontinuity [available ASME NB code only] Color Plot: Design Temperature [available ASME NB/NC/ND codes only], Design Pressure [available ASME NB/NC/ND codes only], Operating Temperature, Operating Pressure, Delta T1 [available ASME NB code only], Delta T2 [available ASME NB code only], Hydrodynamic Data, Member Static Earth Quake Factor, Pipes with Rigid Options, Soil Properties, Pipe Insulation, Center of Gravity, Segments Pipe Properties: Pipe Identifier, Material, Schedule, Nominal Diameter, Actual OD, Thickness, Corrosion, Insulation Thickness, Clad Thickness, Filter Pipe Properties Show Connected Segments: Select this TAB to toggle on/off the display of all or individual segment groups. Attention: see online help for details on this feature. If you are experiencing difficulty viewing color plots, you can change contrasting legends on-the-fly. Simply double-click an legend color to dynamically change it. Point Properties/Global Coordinates Tool: Select any point of interest. Click the View Point Properties Global Coordinates tool (Shortcut Key: F3) The Point Properties dialog appears. This dialog is dynamically updated if a different point is selected in the main window. Try it, it's useful to check pipe properties, temperatures/pressures, and global coordinates on a given point. By clicking on different points, this screen stays up, and users can quickly check their model. Keyboard Hot Keys - Very Useful & FAST!!! AutoPIPE's menus have one letter underlined. The Insert menu, for example is probably, the most useful. By typing I then R you insert a run, I B = insert bend, I V = insert valve. After inputting your data, it's always faster pressing the Enter key instead of clicking OK. Another useful hot key is Ctrl T to graphically view temperatures. Modifying A Point Where There Exists Multiple Components Even a support point has both a run point and a support at the same point. First, left mouse click once on the point you want to modify to make it the ‘active' point. Next, right mouse click on the toolbar icon button of the component you wish to modify. For example, if you want to modify run point location to "slide" the support location, right mouse click over pipe run toolbar icon to change offsets. To modify a support, right mouse click over the toolbar support icon. Alternatively, to modify supports, double-click on the end of the support symbol itself on the graphics model. NOTES : If 2 or more supports at one point then if it is difficult to double click on the support then click on the point then use Ctrl + Q (clear all selected points), use modify/support and a drop down list will appear with all the supports at the current point. Alternatively modify the support using the support grid. Similarly to delete a component, click on it to highlight RED then press the Delete key or click on the delete toolbar icon Save And Reuse Common Piping And Support Configurations Between Jobs Use AutoPIPE's graphical copy/paste capabilities to store commonly used pipe configurations (pump stations for different services, for example, or common vessel configurations) or complicated expansion joints or commonly used support structures using AutoPIPE's beam/frame elements. Just copy & paste from one job to another. NOTE : The models must be in the same directory. Open 2 side by side sessions of AutoPIPE then copy/paste from one model to the other OR into the same model. This is one of the most powerful features in AutoPIPE. Define all the pipe identifiers for a project for the different pipe sizes, insulation, corrosion and material in one template model then use this to start a new model using already the already pre-defined pipe properties. Do not have to redefine these pipe properties again saving time and mistakes. Using Copy/paste + Move command are powerful tools to template and recreate similar identical plant configurations from one project to the next. Working on Large Models - Filter nodes for viewing Avoid time in finding and scrolling through lots of data for large models. Use the View Segment command (Pre V8i) to select and isolate a few segments to work on, troubleshoot and/or display results for. NOTE : View Segments or View Show all components will display all segments again Isolate and Show On-screen results for Segment B only V8i Edition or later use new one-click toolbar icons to show/hide selected or unselected Segment. Isolate segments for editing and viewing results in large models. Menu Equivalent: Edit Segments Hide Selected / Hide Unselected / Show All Procedure: Select segment(s), press respective icon button on toolbar or use menu equivalent. Use Tee Grid as SIF Calculator What Tee types will give a satisfactory stress? - Use Tee Grid as SIF calculator to make a quick check. Renumbering of Point Names Renumber either by Segment or across the complete model using following menu (Toolbar icon also available): Select Edit Renumber Segment... to renumber a single Segment or Edit Renumber All Points to renumber the entire model If Segments was selected, a dialog appears for selecting which segment to be renumbered. Enter a pre-defined segment and then click Select. Click Finish To change the point numbering options: Select Tools Model Options Edit . The Edit Model Options dialog appears. For the Default point name format, select either Alphanumeric or Numeric. NOTE : Alphanumeric is automatically by segment name (e.g. A00, A01, etc. for Segment A). This can be easier to identify different parts of the model later. Select the Replace all point names on renumber option if you want manually entered point names (e.g. PS01) to be renumbered as well. Click OK HINT : Use renumbering when lots of intermediate points are inserted into the model so numbering becomes sequential again. Utilizing the Move / Stretch Command New user are not aware of the power the come from the various Edit drop down listing, Like the ability to create a whole new pipe line adjacent to the existing one without having to insert each node point. see the following Link: Move / Stretch Command Inserting a new pipe segment based on another node point int he model Insert a segment offset from any point or Origin, useful for building new branch pipeline or another pipe on a rack. Insert Segment, DX = 2, B00 offset from point A13 Insert Run DX = 4 Insert Run, 3 points @ 4' spacing Easy to understand Component Symbols Rendered Support Graphics Show Realistic Support Arrangements to Clients, Contractors or CAD Designers. Scale of Componnets If you wish to change the scale of supports or other components for proffered viewing, you can do so from the View Settings dialog. Tee Types Quickly check Tee Types on the plot using the Show Tee button. Viewports Switch between Single / Double or Quad viewports to easily work in a view which is convenient then switch back to single view. Viewports are available for editing the model AND viewing results e.g. code stresses in plan, iso and elevation views as below: Viewports are saved even when a model is closed and then re-opened. Node Numbering: Alphanumeric node numbering by segments - easy to identify which nodes relate to which parts / line numbers of the model. Adjust automatic numbering with Tools Model Options Edit "Default point name format", "Default point name offset", and/or "Replace all point names on renumber" command options. Undo / Redo command Pipe Stress Work involves lots of Iterations, 99 levels of Undo / Redo are available at all times in AutoPIPE such that different support configurations can be tried and if stresses or equipment loads are worse then can easily revert back to some previous state. However, in other applications (i.e. Caesar) undo/redo is always lost when exit the INPUT module. Distance Calculator as a Productive Tool Use the graphical distance calculator to check distances and clearances between pipe to pipe or pipe to structure. Select Tools Distance or click the distance icon on the View toolbar. Point and Click the TO and the From point. You don't have to enter the point name. The DX, DY, and DZ offsets as well as the straight-line distance are displayed in the status bar: HINT : The DX, DY, or DZ offsets can be read or copy/pasted to Excel or text file Graphical Point Editing Caesar users are used to looking at the model, then reading and entering the point name. In AutoPIPE like CAD use point and click, point names are automatically taken care of. Productivity Example - Add a Support AutoPIPE Caesar Click on the Support Point Select Support Type (Friction & Gaps) Look at the Graphic Plot & Read Point Name Go to the data sheet Click on the Restraint Option Enter the Point Name Select Support Type (Friction & Gaps) 2 way gaps permitted all supports Guide - Both Horiz. + Vertical Only 1 gap permitted 2 supports required for Guide + Y Comprehensive Automatic Code Combinations VCR buttons allow fast navigation to sorted multiple maximum stresses across multiple stress categories including maximum sustained stress, thermal range and all occasional stress combinations which Caesar does not calculate automatically. Code Combination Comparison AutoPIPE Stress Plot Caesar Stress Plot Thermal case 1 to 4 What stress case is Row 18-21? AutoPIPE Benefits: Clear Stress Plots Automatically Sorted Max Stress for all combinations Click & Point for all Results Automatic Thermal ranging & occasional stress combinations Default Model Settings When starting a new model, AutoPIPE CAE development team has predetermined a set of default settings that may be OK for some user but not for all. However, you may find that in every model that you are constantly updating the same settings for every model. Wouldn't it be nice if the program could save some default settings for when a new model is started. Well it can using the following commands: 1. Tools Model Options Save defaults command. Help Contents Search Tab enter "Save Defaults" (include the quotes), press List Topics button, double click on the selected topic from the list provided to see more information. From online help: "Options which are saved in the defaults file (AUTOPIPE.DFL) include the General, Edit, and Results Tools/Model Options dialogs" 2. Tools settings Support Using these commands will save time adjusting settings when a new model is created. However, there is another option, create a AutoPIPE template model file similar to what most people do when using MS Word. To do this, first stat by creating a master folder for a project, create a new model, adjust all the model settings, create analysis sets, create combinations, insert commonly used pipe properties, insert soil properties etc... When completed, save the model using File Model Management Save Archive, with all options enabled (checked ON). This APC file is now your AutoPIPE start Template file. When a new model needs to be created, copy the *.APC file from the project file to a new folder, Start AutoPIPE, select File Model Management Open Archive, select the APC file in the correct folder location, BAM!!! all the setting, pipe properties, etc.. are all ready, saving loads of time entering the same values and increasing accuracy of data entered (less human error entering data) . Create as many template files as required for different projects. Note: AutoPIPE V8i 9.5 and higher can import model Combinations from another model. See online help for more details on this feature. Understanding all the Model Option Settings This is IMPORTANT!!! AutoPIPE has a series of model settings that would aid in creation of a model, define the basic (control) parameters used for describing the piping model, user preferences, etc... Each of the listed items below can significantly change the program's interface and the program's output results. The user is urged to review the online help for all of these settings in each section to understand their behavior and affects in AutoPIPE. The following menu options are provided under Tools Model Options: General Model Options Digits after decimal for coordinates Default point name format Default point name offset Replace all point names on renumber Use feet-inches display format Mass points per span Cutoff frequency Use corroded thickness in all analyses Suppress analysis warning prompts Ignore flange effect on bend stiffness Distance L/D from flange/valve to bend Include Bourdon rotational effect Pipe radius for Bourdon calculation Coincident Node Tolerance (0-no check) Levels of Undo Rigid stiffness factor Flange bolt/nut weight factor Support Rigid Stiffness - Translation & Rotation Anchor Rigid Stiffness - Translation & Rotation Model Description GUID Model Edit Options Digits after decimal for coordinates Default point name format Default point name offset Replace all point names on renumber Use feet-inches display format Mass points per span Cutoff frequency Use corroded thickness in all analyses Suppress analysis warning prompts Ignore flange effect on bend stiffness Distance L/D from flange/valve to bend Include Bourdon rotational effect Pipe radius for Bourdon calculation Coincident Node Tolerance (0-no check) Levels of Undo Rigid stiffness factor Flange bolt/nut weight factor Support Rigid Stiffness - Translation & Rotation Anchor Rigid Stiffness - Translation & Rotation Buried Pipe Result Model Options Circ. wall bending stress calculation method Soil input parameters set to be used for calculations Add Circ. Bending stress to Sustained Use min(Sh-SL, Sh-f) as sustained margin Ring Bucking allowable safety factor ASCE 2001 Display circ. wall bending & ring buckling in code compliance Thermal case used for seismic wave propagation load SAM case combined with seismic wave propagation Seismic + thermal allowable factor Display seismic + thermal combinations in code compliance Building settlement load case Display building settlement category in code compliance Model Result Options Format (Node/Combin) Force (Global/Local) Include axial force Overwrite output file Use nominal thickness Use nom. thk. for Hoop Set SUS SIF =1 no bends Single SIF at point Set Sus/Occ SIF = 1 Set Sus/Occ = 0.75i Include torsion Single SIF at tees Apply all K-factors Include results desc Include bend ovaling Include hoop bending Direct Shear (N/R/A) Total stress(Oct/Max) Apply modulus ratio Apply tee summation Sustain Margin (Y/N/E ) Use min. sustained margin Long. Pressure (P/A/M/N) Digits after decimal Displacement Scale Range reduction factor Weld efficiency factor Y Factor Design factor F Temperature derating factor Design Pressure factor Minimum Stress Ratio Hoop safety factor Long. safety factor Shear allowable factor Total allowable factor Interm. stress points No. of thermal ranges Include Max Range comb Use code case 178 Include Axial,Pcase in Sustained Use Alt Occ Allowable Apply circ w factor Use theoretical Sec Mod Show rigid tee stress Additional Fields for B31.3 2010 edition. Set Occasional SIF=0.75i Additional Fields for B31.4 Offshore and B31.8 Offshore. Hoop Design Factor - F1 Long. Design Factor - F2 Combined Dsgn Factor - F3 Additional Fields for CSA-Z662 Offshore. Func. Design Factor - F1 Func+Env Dsgn Factor - F2 Additional Fields for SNiP 2.05.06-85 Oil & Gas. Use Axial in Hoop Allow Additional Fields for EN13480 European code. Use min(f;fcr) for Hoop Additional Fields for ISO 14692 Set Hoop SIF = 1 (bends) Sustained Factor-f2 Sus.+Thermal Factor-f2 Occasional Factor-f2 Save Defaults See Also Bentley AutoPIPE External Links Bentley Technical Support KnowledgeBase Bentley LEARN Server Comments or Corrections? Bentley's Technical Support Group requests that you please submit any comments you have on this Wiki article to the "Comments" area below. THANK YOU!
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