Pipe Rack Analysis

[tylerkerr]

I'm needing to analyze a current pipe rack to see if it can handle another 10" line.  What would be the best software to use for that?  I haven't tried running any stress calcs on piping and supports since using Caesar a few years ago.

Thanks.

[martinTstewart_Adsk]

In Plant 3D you have the PCF export and the SDNF export options. This can then be imported into an analysis program such as Caesar II or STAAD.  As far as the “best” software to use once you’ve done the export, I’ll defer to the discussion group community for those recommendations.

[chuckhackett]

I realise this is a very old thread, so please excuse me for reviving it... I have done some searches and can't find an answer...

After the engineer runs his/her Caesar II stress analysis, how do we get the changes made back into Plant3D?

[dgorsman]

In theory you would export the contents as PCF then consume that.  However, if the original line was in any way designed sensibly to start with, the stress engineer would just have a couple of mark-ups on a stress iso about what type of supports are required, and where.  If it wasn't designed sensibly e.g. adding a stress loop, they'll add a couple of notes for general parameters and let the piping designers locate it based on what's actually there.

[chuckhackett]

Thank you for the quick reply.

The engineer is telling me that he can't export as a PCF in Caesar II... is this true? If not, how does he export it as a PCF?

Again, thank you for the quick reply.

Chuck

[dgorsman]

It's been a bit since I've tinkered with it, but at a minimum since it uses ISOGEN to create isometrics the associated PCF files can be harvested at the same time.

Edit: keep in mind that CAESAR II isn't a pipe design program - for example it doesn't have valves.  The PCF files (and any others) it generates will be very basic by comparison to any "smart" content you may have provided as an input to the program.  Don't count on round-tripping piping designs, hence my suggestion above regarding notes on isometrics.