1.

Modeling Approaches, Tips, Technique for Flanges

Piping Components in AutoPIPE
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 tpical piping
arrangements! The steps shown in each e"ample should not be ta#en as the onl
method available to create models! In addition$ the intent of the e"amples is to present
was to create ade%uate models of speci&c piping components for analtical purposes!
Anchors 'ends
Cuts (le"ible )oints
(rames Hangers
*o++les Pipes
,educers ,otating E%uipment
-upports Tees
.alves .essels
2. Questions, and Answers:
3. Item #1. How to model typical fanges in AutoPIP !"i
#.$ and %ower:
Answer: In AutoPIPE ./i 0!1 and lower$ 2anges are a 3 point element with no
length> The program onl considers the 2ange weight and weld connection for
-I( calculations! Assuming 2ange sti4ness is same as the pipe is technicall
incorrect because a 2ange is more rigid than pipe! However$ it does *5T a4ect
analsis results to an signi&cant e"tent! 6ou can choose to model a 2ange as a
single point or ta#e into consideration the actual 2ange length!
-ee the following procedure to model the actual 2ange length:
A! Assuming a 2anged no++le connection to be anchord to a vessel$ insert
an anchor!
'! Insert a short run of pipe e%ual to the actual 2ange length!
C! Insert another pipe run and to the ne"t node point in the model!
7! Insert a 2ange at *o++le interface$ in this e"ample$ start of the
segment8anchor point! 5n the 2ange dialog$ change )oint End Tpe 9 :;ser
7e&ned:$ set :)oint -I(: 9 3!< =note: can use an >oint end tpe connection
so long as the -I( calculated is 3!< at the 2ange point?
E! -elect this short length of pipe representing the actual 2ange length$
press Insert & 'igid options o(er 'ange =Include @eight 9 o4$ Include
Thermal E"pansion 9 o4!!!pipe will be shown purple?$ and press 5A button
(! -elect the node point representing the 2ange connection to the pipe!
Press Insert > Btra 7ata> )oint Tpe user -I(! -elec the correct tpe of end
connection or enter a user -I(!

=(rom AutoPIPE ./i 0!C?
). Item #2. *odel a Anc+or fanges:
Answer: Anchor 2anges are considered to be buried within concrete!
Modeling approach:
A! 5n the segment where the 2ange is to be modeled$ insert a node point
=e"! '<D? as the welded connection between he pipe and 2ange
'! Insert a Pipe run half the total length of the Hanger 2ange =e"! '<C?!
C! Insert another Pipe run with the same length as in -tep ' above =e"!
'<1?!
7! -elect the middle point of the 2ange =e"! '<C?$ insert a 2ange
component! 5n the 2ange dialog$ change )oint End Tpe 9 :;ser 7e&ned:$
set :)oint -I(: 9 3!< =note: can use an >oint end tpe connection so long as
the -I( calculated is 3!< at the 2ange point?
E! -elect both pipe runs =e"! '<DE'<C F '<CE'<1?$ press Insert > ,igid
options over ,ange =Include @eight 9 o4$ Include Thermal E"pansion 9
o4!!!pipe will be shown purple?$ and press 5A button
(! -elect both 2ange end points =e"! '<D F '<1?$ Press Insert > Btra 7ata>
)oint Tpe user -I(! -elect the correct tpe of end connection or enter a user
-I(!
G! Connection to support: choose one of the following$ model connection as
simple supports or model with soil properties
*otes:
i! Model connection as simple support: add additional node points =e"! '<H
F '<I? 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 -oil properties over same node
points added! -elect all the pipe with in the concrete and appl the correct
soil properties to mimic concrete!
,. Item #3. *odel a Hanger fanges:
Answer: Hanger 2anges are considered to be bolted to a structure!
Modeling approach:
A! 5n the segment where the 2ange is to be modeled$ insert a node point
=e"! '<D? as the welded connection between he pipe and 2ange
'! Insert a Pipe run half the total length of the Hanger 2ange =e"! '<C?!
C! Insert another Pipe run with the same length as in -tep ' above =e"!
'<1?!
7! -elect the middle point of the 2ange =e"! '<C?$ insert a 2ange
component! 5n the 2ange dialog$ change )oint End Tpe 9 :;ser 7e&ned:$
set :)oint -I(: 9 3!< =note: can use an >oint end tpe connection so long as
the -I( calculated is 3!< at the 2ange point?
E! -elect both pipe runs =e"! '<DE'<C F '<CE'<1?$ press Insert > ,igid
options over ,ange =Include @eight 9 o4$ Include Thermal E"pansion 9
o4!!!pipe will be shown purple?$ and press 5A button
(! -elect both 2ange end points =e"! '<D F '<1?$ Press Insert > Btra 7ata>
)oint Tpe user -I(! -elect the correct tpe of end connection or enter a user
-I(!
G! Connection to support: choose one of the following$ model connection as
simple supports or model with beam elements
*ote: i! Model connection as simple support: Insert AutoPIPE supports
as need at the 2ange center point =e"! '<C?!
ii! Model connection with beams: Insert rigid beam elements from
the 2ange center =e"! '<C? to the actual bolted support connection
=e" -% beam?! Add additional beams with the correct beam
properties from the bolted support connection to the support
structure that is correctl supported =e"! Angle beams?!
$. Item #), How to model a -tu. nd, -wi(el, or
*isalignment /lange
Answer: The swivel 2ange is used with medium service pressures at points where the
bolt holes in the mounting 2anges are not precisel aligned! The swivel 2ange simpli&es
&tting between J &"ed points!

Answer: (or strss analsis purpose$ the program needs to #now the weight and
-I( associated with a 2ange! Most A-ME piping codes do not have
established -I( values for these tpes of 2anges! @hilst A-ME 31!C and 31!DI
codes are applicable for weld nec# 2anges$ the are not applicable to swivel
ring 2anges beond the bolt pattern and bolt si+es! A-ME o4er alternative rules
that consider swivel ring 2anges as nonEstandard$ or loose tpe$ 2anges!
Therefore the modeling appraoch for these tpes of 2anges:
-elect the node point where the 2ange is to be located$ press Insert> (lange>$
on the 2ange dialog screen enter:
(lange tpe 9 *-
Pressure ,ating 9 *-
@eight 9 enter weight from vendor literature
)oint End Tpe: ;ser 7e&ned
)oint -I(: contact 2ange manufature for value to be used!
*ote: 5ne could argue to set )oint end tpe 9 :Kap >oint: in order to
automaticall calcuale the -I(! However$ since these tpes of >oints are not
covered b the applicable piping code$ ou will need to use engineering
>udgement or contact the manfacture! 'entle T-G cannot provide a de&native
value!