Pipe stress analysis

Summary

Understand the methods underlying pipe stress analysis and learn how to solve any design issues.

Pipe stress analysis (PSA) is a key part of a safe design of pressurised systems, driving decision on piping specification, layout, supports arrangement, requirements for flexible joints, flange design and others.

Although piping engineering has been known for its highly complex models and monograms to establish safe layouts and configurations, the development of computers now enables analysis to be performed more accurately and quickly of time than ever before. 

In order to get the full benefit of the use of pipe stress analysis software, users must first have a good understanding of piping systems, the components, mechanical behaviour, engineering models and piping code rules underlying the computer analysis.

This course provides the necessary background to comply to the piping codes, carry out the stress analysis and problem solve; including the requirements for pipe stress analysis and an efficient process workflow. 

Delivered with worked examples using hand calculations and Pipe Stress Analysis software. The course covers the use of PSA software to carry out code compliance checks, evaluate pipe stresses and loads on supports and attached equipment. The course is designed to be software agnostic, teaching the principles of pipe stress analysis, explaining the physical phenomena, code requirements and modelling assumptions required to carry out the analysis efficiently.

As well as teaching how to use the software, the course discusses the place of PSA in the design lifecycle, best practice for analysis and ways of streamlining the design. 

Exercises cover the setup of the model, definition of geometry, branches, SIFS, boundary conditions, support and load definitions, looking at various types of supports, idealisations and assumptions, and discussing modelling of various fittings and inline items.

Further exercises look at the analysis of the results and optimisation of the layout: adding flexibility, reducing code stress reducing nozzle loads and restraining deflection.

The course finishes with an overview of the results presentation and reporting. 

Verified by an engineer, Simon Flaherty
"I would recommend it to anyone in future."
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Delivery format
This is a classroom based course, delivered face to face.

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Who should attend?

Engineers responsible for the design of piping systems that wish to increase their understanding of pipe stress analysis requirements and techniques. Also beneficial to Designers or Project Engineers that want to gain a better understanding of piping code requirements and best practice for analysis.

How will I benefit?

After this course you will:

• Understand the requirements for stress analysis in piping design

• Carry out hand calculations to code for pressure design

• Set out an efficient process for pipe stress analysis

• Build models in Pipe Stress Analysis software

• Appreciate the requirement for formal analysis

• Model bends, flanges, valves, branches, supports and anchors

• Define load cases

• Review analysis results

• Improve layout to solve issues

• Present findings

• Check models for errors

Key topics

• Fundamentals of the pipe stress

• Code requirements

• Design for pressure

• Primary and secondary stresses

• Requirement for pipe stress analysis

• Pipe Stress Analysis Software Interface

• Model input

• Error checking

• Definition of load cases

• Result manipulation

• Design optimisation

• Reporting of results

• Troubleshooting