Introduction:

Piping stress analysis constitutes a major portion of engineering work in most of the industries e.g. Power, Oil and Gas, Petrochemicals, Refineries, pulp and paper, chemicals, and process industry. The current trend in the EPC and owner sector is integrated systems of management, design, manufacturing, and construction. There are various software for stress analysis, some of them developed and used by big corporations for their own use particularly in the Nuclear industry. In this article, we will cover the 6 most commonly used piping stress analysis software.

Piping Stress Analysis Software Tools:

1. CAESAR II, by Hexagon

2. Autopipe, by Bentley

3. CAEPIPE, by SST USA

4. Rohr2, by Sigma, Germany

5. PEPS, by DST Engineering

6. PASS/STRAT-PROF

Now let’s take a brief look on all this software one by one,

1. CAESAR II, by Hexagon:

Caesar II by Hexagon (Previously Intergraph) is arguably the most popular 3D tool for piping stress analysis. It enjoys the largest market share as a pipe stress package. Caesar II works on beam element method. It is used in the piping industry to understand and evaluate working piping models. Caesar II works on a color-coded system in the output report, which helps to understand the areas of concern in the piping system. The software can be easily integrated with other Hexagon 3D model software. CII is user-friendly and has a large database consisting of over 35 international and local codes (such as ASME B31.3, B31.4, B31.1, B31.8, European codes, and many more) making it much easier for the user to analyze a piping model in question.

Benefits and features of Caesar II(source: Hexagon PPM site_Caesar II features PDF):

• Time required for modeling gets reduced as the software has a large database of all types of standard models. Most of these works with a single click.
• The graphics involved in the modeling is highly optimized which helps to keep bigger models also smooth. It has an advanced analysis and stress reporting system.
• The use of recommended load cases option is very handy to import all the important cases in one click.
• Caesar II gives the user access of 3rd party Finite element analysis tool for FEA related checks. Advanced analysis features such as the use of ASME B31J.
• Interfacing with most of the CAD-based software is robust.

2. Autopipe, by Bentley

AutoPIPE is one of the most popular piping stress package in the EPC industry. The software is developed by Bentley Systems, a US based organization. Autopipe's cost-effective solution to design any plant piping including nuclear units makes it highly efficient and popular. It increases productivity and improves quality with special piping stress features such as both static and dynamic analysis, wave loading, fluid transients available. The software can be easily integrated with all other Bentley and 3rd party applications such as Smart Plant, Aveva E3D, Autodesk Plant 3D, PDS, CAESAR II etc. (Source: Few of the points taken from Bentley.com_Autopipe section)

For Nuclear applications, the software has AutoPIPE Nuclear.

AutoPIPE Nuclear(Source:  Bentley.com_Autopipe section): The software allows to analyze critical nuclear systems adhering to ASME Class 1, 2, or 3 standards. It gives the productive graphical CAD interface as well as a graphical view of results.

AutoPIPE Nuclear conforms with ASME NQA-1, ISO 9001, CSA N286.7-99, ASME N45.2, and 10CFR50 standards backed by several independent audits by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) customers and the Nuclear Procurement Issues Committee (NUPIC).

Benefits and features of Autopipe (Source: Points taken from Bentley.com_Autopipe feature section):

• Unique graphical user interface.
• All major international and local codes (total 25) are included in the stress package.
• Quality assurance as per 10CFR Part 50 Appendix B, 10CFR Part 21, and ASME NQA-1.
• Advanced analysis features including the latest ASME B31J requirements, Stress intensification factors, fluid transient analysis

3. CAEPIPE, by SST Systems:

Caepipe is developed by SST Systems USA. It performs both linear and non-linear, static and dynamic piping stress calculations. It is used in EPC and client-based industries for e.g., oil and gas, power, nuclear, fertilizers, petrochemicals etc.

Benefits and feature of Caepipe (Source: points taken from sstusa.com_caepipe section):

• Multiple windows of the model can be opened for the visual and textual detailing of the system.
• System updates in a single-window gets updated in all the windows giving a dynamic real-time effect.
• Advanced analysis features including the latest ASME B31J requirements.
• Advanced Microsoft windows installation for better operation.

 4. Rohr2, by SIGMA Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH

Rohr2 is a leading piping stress software mainly used in Europe. This package is developed by SIGMA Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH

The main tasks of ROHR2 are component analysis, construction, and structural analysis of complex piping systems and associated steel structures. ROHR2win is the pre- and postprocessor of ROHR2. All inputs can be made using ROHR2win. A wide range of control functions enables the user to check the input data easily. The software can be integrated with 3rd party applications such as Smart Plant, Aveva PDMS/ E3D, CAESAR II, Caepipe etc.

Benefits and features of Rohr2 (Source: Points taken from rohr2.com basics and feature section):

• ROHR2 includes optional modules as ROHR2fesu (used for detail FEA analysis of branch connections, Trunnions, Junction stress checks, etc.) and ROHR2flange (Used for flange check evaluation).
• ROHR2 consists of a good database of all international and European codes and standards such as, ASME B31.1, B31.3, B31.4, B31.8, CODETI, EN codes etc.
• It offers transfer data with all major CAD and CAE systems.
• Both dynamic and static analysis can be performed in Rohr2.

5. PEPS, by DST Computers

PEPS is developed by DST engineering of Switzerland. The software package contains PIPESTRESS, the stress analysis package and Editpipe, it’s pre and post processor. The package is claimed being used by more than 400 engineering organizations used in 30 countries.

The PEPS program is used for stress analysis of piping systems falling under nuclear Class 1, 2 & 3 and non-nuclear codes. It is being used as the main piping analysis software for calculations in the new reactors: EPR, AP1000 and AC-1000. Many of the piping calculations for Westinghouse AP600 plant were performed using PIPESTRESS and these calculations were accepted by the US NRC when they issued a standard plant license for the AP600.(Source: Points taken from dst.ch_PEPS part)

Benefits and features of PEPS  (Source: Points taken from dst.ch_product features part):

• Up to 500 load cases and combinations.
• Fully featured dynamic analysis.
• Integrated XML database for fittings, pipe cross-sections and materials.
• Advanced text editor environment with full syntax coloring.
• Instant visualization of the piping model defined in the input file, with input error detection.
• Accepted in the Nuclear industry meeting the code requirements of ASME sec III. systems 

PASS/STRAT-PROF is a comprehensive piping stress analysis software with related sizing calculation adhering to national and international codes and standards. PASS is an intelligent software, where the piping model can be completed just like a 3D model software and can run the analysis with help of a push button.

The software user manual is available in English, Chinese and Russian language, which is an additional feature compared to other software packages. The software is readily used in the power, process, oil and gas and chemical industries.

PASS/START-PROF can import piping models ready for analysis from CADWorx, SmartPlant 3D, AVEVA PDMS, AVEVA E3D, Bentley Autopipe, CAESAR II, Autoplant, Smart 3D, etc. (Source: Points taken from passuite.com_PASS part)

Benefits and features of PASS (Source: Points taken from passuite.com_PASS features part)

• User friendly interface.
• Piping segments can be used separately for modeling.
• Flexibility check for Equipment nozzles is available.
• Output results can be analyzed using 3D interactive behaviors.
• Specific behavior of long radius pipe is considered in the analysis.