PepS tutorial

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Getting started !
Introduction
PepS is an integrated package containing PIPESTRESS, the piping analysis core program,
and Editpipe, its pre- and post-processor.
Are you using PepS for the very first time? Please read this tutorial carefully. It will explain
what PIPESTRESS is, how it works and how Editpipe can help you exploit all its powerful
features. You will also learn how to create your first piping model in less than 5 minutes, launch
the calculation and view the results.

PIPESTRESS Overview
What is PIPESTRESS
PIPESTRESS is a program for performing linear elastic analysis of three-dimensional piping
systems subject to a variety of loading conditions. Simple non-linearities in one-dimensional
supports can be modelled. Chemical process piping, nuclear and conventional power
generation piping systems may be investigated for compliance with piping codes and with other
constraints on system response.
What distinguishes PIPESTRESS from competitors is its advanced analysis capabilities and its
rigorous QA methodology which has made it a reference in the nuclear piping industry:

Full feature nuclear piping analysis program

ASME Classes 1,2 and 3 and ANSI/ASME B31.1
ASME B31.3, CODETI
RCC-M, KTA Classes 1 and 2
Code versions from 1967 to present
Nuclear QA per 10CFR50, App. B, and 10CFR21
Heat transfer and thermal gradient stress
Fatigue analysis usage factor
Translators from other analysis programs
Up to 500 user-defined load and combination cases
Structures with 3,000 elements or more
Element dimensions in Cartesian, cylindrical, spherical or sloping coordinates
Thermal stratification
Mixed class
Composite materials
Response cases with up to 99 independent support levels
Response spectra in Cartesian or cylindrical coordinates
Modal superposition by grouping, double sum CQC and other methods
Time history analysis by generalized response method
Selective true time history analysis
Determination of rigid cut-off frequency for time history analysis
Rigid mode correction for all dynamic analysis method
Theory manual

The PIPESTRESS input file

The standard input file for the PIPESTRESS program is an 80 character per-record text file,
usually with a fre extension, containing free format input and therefore called the free file.
Groups of records define the piping structure, loadings and other information required for the
calculation. These groups of records are called "cards".

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The PIPESTRESS result files

PIPESTRESS generates a binary result file, the restart file, usually with a rs1 (or rs2, rs3,
etc) extension, containing all computed displacement, forces and stresses.
PIPESTRESS also generates reports in several text files which are identified by their
extensions.
If the PIPESTRESS input file is named
follows.
File name

filename.prd

filename.ext, then the reports are generated as

Reports
Banners
File information
Echo
Free format errors
Modal extraction

filename.pri

Input data verification

Formal input data description

filename.prl

Static load cases solutions

filename.prr

Floor response cases solutions

filename.prx

Time history cases solutions

filename.prc

Combination cases solutions

filename.prf

Fatigue analysis solutions

Thermal transient solutions

filename.pre

Support summaries
Contents
Timing

filename.err

Error messages

Editpipe: the PIPESTRESS pre- and post-processor

You could of course write the input PIPESTRESS file simply by means of a plain text editor
such as Notepad, then launch PIPESTRESS in a DOS window by typing the PIPESTRESS
command script and entering the input file name when prompted, and finally view the result files
once again with Notepad
But what a waste of time! And you are never really sure whether the input file represents what
you intended. Moreover, if there are errors in your input file, you discover them only after
PIPESTRESS has terminated and you must then retrieve the error messages among the
numerous text files generated by PIPESTRESS.
This is where Editpipe comes into action! Here are some outstanding features of Editpipe:

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Advanced text editor environment with full syntax colouring for editing PIPESTRESS
free format input files. The Easyfree templates assist you in creating or editing
PIPESTRESS cards in particular with the Smart Coordinate tool
Instant visualization of the piping model defined in the input file, with input error
detection
Integrated database of PIPESTRESS free format input cards and standard piping
fittings
Post-processing module for visualizing mode shapes and load case displacements,
forces and moments
Tabular view of the data
QuickPipe wizard helps you generate complete input files in less than 5 minutes
Online help with an extensive description of the PIPESTRESS cards

Editpipe includes a powerful project and file manager, the Editpipe Manager, with the following
features:

Manage all PIPESTRESS input and output files related to a piping analysis project
Run PIPESTRESS and related programs and follow progress of analysis
Browse through output files with the PIPESTRESS report viewer
Track errors reported during PIPESTRESS execution and point them out in the
PIPESTRESS input file
Extract the highest stress tables from your model, or stresses at chosen points
View graphically binary input files like thf (time-history) files
View support load sheets with special PPO file viewer
Create Word-based stress reports from a user-defined template
Review your actions with integrated logbook

Creating and analysing your first PIPESTRESS model: a short tutorial

Lets see how to apply these tools and create our first piping model!

1. Creating your first PIPESTRESS model with Quickpipe wizard

With Quickpipe you are going to generate a complete PIPESTRESS input file for a simple
piping model in less than 5 minutes, without even knowing anything about PIPESTRESS and
its input card format.
A simple model means that you have uniform piping cross section and operating conditions, and
that the piping runs are following global axes. A sketch of the piping model to create is shown
below:
-

2 Shedule 10 pipe, A106 Gr B material

Content: water
One operating case: temperature=250C, pressure=12 bar (1.2 N/mm)

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PepS tutorial

demo.fre

16/06/2004 16:25:26

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

Weight support

Valve

Editpipe 5.0 (c) 1996-2004 Tractebel

Launch the Editpipe Manager by double-clicking the

PepS icon on the desktop screen.
Click Project Management : New Project.

Select or create a directory where your project

files will be stored.

Type the name of the PIPESTRESS input file to

create: demo.fre

View Angles: (20.0,-26.7)

PepS tutorial

The Project Management Dialog prompts you for

a general description of your project. You can
skip and just press the OK button.
An empty demo.fre file has been created and is
displayed in the Text Input File box in the file
explorer on the left.

Double-click demo.fre or select Edit/View Input

File : Edit demo.fre. You invoke the Editpipe
editor. The demo.fre file is empty and contains
no cards yet.

Run the Options : Quickpipe Wizard command.

The QuickPipe Wizard shows you 5 panels you have to fill in sequentially.

1.

General data

Fill in the Plant, Title and Engineer texts to

identify your analysis.
Choose the piping code and code version.
The units are those selected in the Option menu.
Choose the vertical axis (Y or Z)

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2.

Load Case data

Choose the number of thermal load cases. Add

temperature and pressure.
You could define an Earthquake case. Choose
Quasi-static or R.G. 1.60 response spectrum.

3.

Piping data

Specify piping diameter, thickness and material,

type of fluid and insulation weight.

4.

Piping lay-out

Compose at the top of the screen a piping

element (anchor, straight element, valve,
restraint, lumped mass).
Add the required direction, length and/or mass.
Then press Insert to insert the piping element in
your lay-out.
Press Modify to change an existing element. It
will be moved to the top of the panel. Apply the
changes to the element, then press Insert to
insert the element back into the lay-out.
Use Cut and Paste to duplicate elements.

5.

Options

Specify point numbering options.

Define the bend radius (bends will be added
automatically at each change of direction).
Specify the end weld code (will be applied at
each element).
Then press Create PIPESTRESS model and
you are ready!

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PepS tutorial

A complete input file has been created at lightning speed. The point labels have been generated
automatically: 100 for the first point, incremented by 10 for the following points (110, 120 etc.).
Two load cases have been generated:
- CA=100: Weight
- CA=101: Operating conditions
A combination case CA=401: Weight + Operating has been created too.
To get a graphical view of the model, just click the Toggle View/Edit button on the top toolbar.
The buttons on this toolbar enable the user to invoke other useful commands:
Go to Editpipe Manager
Toggle View/Edit
Easyfree tool

Print
Save
Open

Pan
Rotate view
Dynamic zoom
Whole model

Increase/decrease symbol size

Show supports
Tabular data sheets
Show point names

Dont forget to save your model as Demo.fre (command File : Save).

2. Launching the PIPESTRESS analysis

Switch to the Editpipe Manager by clicking the Editpipe Manager button.

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Click Run Analysis : Piping analysis.

Simply press OK.

The PIPESTRESS execution is displayed in the
Execution Monitor window. When the execution
finishes, Editpipe displays the Highest Stress file
which summarizes the highest stress points for
the different load cases. Close the Highest
Stress file before proceeding.

3. Viewing the results

The PIPESTRESS result files are listed in the Result files box. To view any of the files, just
double-click it.
Editpipe allows you to visualize the results in a more graphical and convenient way. Return to
Editpipe editor.

Click the command Results : Load Restart File

and select the restart file to load (in most cases
the file is named demo.rs1).

Editpipe prompts you for the Load Case to view.

Select for example: LOAD CASE 401: WEIGHT +
THERMAL

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A new toolbar has appeared on the top. Use its buttons to view the displacements, internal
forces or stresses and to navigate through the different load cases:
Force/moment component

Resultant moment
Resultant force
Display displacements

Choose load case

Display stresses
Use local axis

View Highest stress table

Animate
Size factor
View tabulated results

It is generally more useful to view the stress ratios according to the piping code (ASME B31.1 in
this case). A ratio higher than 1 means that stresses are over the limits permitted by the code.
Click the command Results : Load Highest stress table. A table with the highest stresses for
every load case is displayed and their locations are highlighted.

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4. Continuing to build the PIPESTRESS model

The basic input file created with the Quickpipe wizard is a good starting point, but now you have
to add other cards and a better understanding of the PIPESTRESS cards is required. Editpipe
will be of great help once again.
As already noted, the PIPESTRESS input file is a plain text file. Groups of records define the
piping structure, loadings and other information required for the calculation. These groups of
records are called "cards".
The cards are identified by a four character card identity in the positions 1 to 4. For example,
the first card of every PIPESTRESS input file is an "IDEN" card, the next card is a "TITL" card,
etc.
The order of the input is shown below:
IDEN
TITL
Other Analysis cards

.
Floor Response Spectrum cards (if required)
Structure/Load cards

.
ENDP
Each card contains several fields that are entered in positions 6 to 80 in the following manner:
ff=vvv...
where
ff is the field ident

vvv is the value to be entered

Example: to define reference case number

320, enter RF=320

One card may extend in more than one line:

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CCAS CA=200 ME=8 EQ=1 C1=101 C2=102

TI=/THERM. + ANCHOR MOTION/
Comments lines are introduced with an asterisk:
* This is a comment line
The particular field PT= serves to define point identities. Point identities must be character
strings consisting of one to four alphanumeric characters which are the digits 0,1,..,9, and the
characters A,B,C,...,Z and a,b,c,...,z. For instance, the following line creates a straight pipe
element whose length is 2.5 in X direction and whose end point identity is 60:
TANG PT=60 DX=2.5
Here are some of the most important PIPESTRESS cards:
Analysis cards
IDEN

Identification of the model. The piping code (ASME B31.1,) and the
units are defined therein

TITL

Titles and other options, in particular version of the piping code

LCAS

Defines a Load Case for which PIPESTRESS will calculate

displacements, rotations, forces, moments and stresses

CSTR

Instructs PIPESTRESS to calculate "additive" stresses which are

based on the resultant moments of the constituent cases

Structure/Load cards
OPER

Defines the operating conditions for a load case for the members which
follow this card until another OPER card for the same load case is
encountered

CROS

Defines the size, weight and other section dependent properties of the
pipe for members which follow this card until another Cross Sectional
Properties card is encountered

MATL

Defines the material for members which follow this card until another
MATL card is encountered

TANG

Defines a straight pipe element which is specified by a vector along the

element axis

BRAD

Defines a curved pipe element (bend or elbow) which is specified by its

radius

ANCH

Points of a piping system where all six displacement components are

known (anchors)

RSTN

Defines a single direction in which the piping system is restrained

against displacement at the given point. A separate card must be used
for each restraint direction

ENDP

Indicates the end of the problem description. Cards which follow this
card are ignored.

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You will find below a simple input file describing a 1 Sch.10 piping system, anchored at both
ends, containing an elbow and subjected to a single operating case: temperature = 150C,
pressure = 10 bar:
IDEN JB=1 CD=0 GR=-Y IU=0 OU=0 AB=T
PL=/DEMO/ EN=/CAJ/
TITL BL=3 GL=1 CV=8 HS=1
TI=/EXAMPLE/
LCAS CA=100 TY=3 EQ=2
TI=/OPERATING WEIGHT/
LCAS CA=101 TY=0 EQ=7
TI=/THERMAL 1/
* MATERIAL: SA 106 Grade B (C-Si steel)
***************************************
MATH CD=101 EX=1 TY=1 TX=371
MATD TE=21 EH=203.4 EX=10.08 SH=103.4 SM=137.9
MATD TE=93 EH=198.6 EX=10.96 SH=103.4 SM=137.9
MATD TE=149 EH=195.1 EX=11.57 SH=103.4 SM=137.9
MATD TE=204 EH=191.0 EX=12.13 SH=103.4 SM=137.9
MATD TE=260 EH=188.2 EX=12.71 SH=103.4 SM=130.3
MATD TE=316 EH=184.1 EX=13.10 SH=103.4 SM=119.3
MATD TE=371 EH=175.8 EX=13.52 SH=98.6 SM=115.8
MATL CD=101

SY=241.3
SY=219.9
SY=213.7
SY=206.8
SY=195.1
SY=178.6
SY=173.7

DESN TE=150 PR=1

PRES CA=100 PR=1
OPER CA=101 TE=150 PR=1
CROS
ANCH
TANG
BRAD
TANG

OD=33.40 WT=2.77 SO=1 ST=1 IN=0 MA=2.09

PT=100
PT=110 EW=2 DX=1
PT=120 EW=2 RA=0.0381
PT=130 EW=2 DZ=1

*1" Sch 10 10S *

ENDP

5. Adding a branch line to your model

Lets return to the basic model you have just created.
Imagine that a branch line starts from point 170, runs 2 meters along direction X and ends at an
anchor point (representing for instance a vessel nozzle). The branch line is supported at midspan by a spring hanger. The operating conditions for the branch line are slightly different:
220C, 10 bar.
Switch to Editpipe editor and go to the end of the file, just before the ENDP card.
Type the following lines, either by hand (in case you are already an experienced user) or by
using the Easyfree tool which lists and describes briefly the available cards and helps the user
to define the fields. For examples, the next screen shows you how to create a CROS card
defining an 8 Schedule 80 pipe cross section. Note the special field (*WT_OD): by doubleclicking this field, you access an integrated database of standard pipe sections.

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* By-pass line 1

comment line
JUNC PT=170

the new branch starts from point 170
CROS OD=33.40 WT=2.77 MA=2.09

the branch is a 1" Sch 10 pipe: outside diameter = 33.4 mm (OD=33.4),
thickness=2.77 mm (WT=2.77), linear weight=2.09 kg/m (MA=2.09)
OPER CA=101 TE=120 PR=0.3

operating condition for load case 101: temperature = 120C (TE=120), pressure = 0.3
N/mm (PR=0.3)
BRAN PT=300 TE=1 DX=0.0508

the tee is a welding tee (TE=1), the tee branch is 0.0508 m long in X direction
(DX=0.0508) and the end point name is 300 (PT=300)
TANG PT=310 DX=0.9492

the next pipe element goes from the end of the tee to mid-span at point 310
VSUP PT=310 DY=1. SP=1 FO=0.5

vertical spring hanger (DY=1) at point 310 (PT=310), spring stiffness=1 kN/mm
(SP=1), pre-tension force = 0.5 kN (FO=0.5)

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TANG PT=320 DX=1

pipe element from point 310 to point 320
ANCH PT=320

anchor at point 320
View the model. You should get the following picture:

Its that simple! Now, continue discovering the latest versions of PIPESTRESS and Editpipe
integrated in the PepS package and enjoy unmatched technical excellence. Feel free to
contact us for assistance or for additional information at support@dst.ch or visit our website at
www.dst.ch .