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Engineering
VOLUME 27 JUNE 1999
Merger Turns to Collaboration - Full LIST Processor: With Version 4.10, the LIST processor has
COADE Remains Independent been fully implemented. This processor generates a “grid” view of
> continued from p 1 the selected data type. The LIST processor is an excellent tool for
data verification and possible modification. The figure below
the development of interfaces between the companies’ products; shows a typical Restraint List.
joint marketing and advertising campaigns; utilization of each other’s
marketing and distribution infrastructure; joint product training
seminars and joint corporate account marketing.
The major improvements incorporated in the 4.10 release were The “spinner control” (the left/right arrows at the lower left corner
discussed in the last issue of Mechanical Engineering News. There of the figure) scroll through the available report types, presented as
were however, many additional improvements throughout the “tabs” at the bottom of the window. Alternatively, the right mouse
software, which were too numerous to list. Some of these button will bring up a context menu listing all of the available
improvements are discussed in the paragraphs that follow. options and list types.
FileOpen Dialog: When users click on the “File\Open” menu API-610 Analysis: Many users are still not aware of the change
option (or click on the “open folder icon”), the system responds made to the coordinate system by API-610 8th Edition. This edition
with the expected “file open” dialog box. This dialog box allows rotated the pump’s coordinate system so that “Z” is up, previous
users to navigate through all system disk drives to find the desired editions defined “Y” up. The output of the API-610 module has
input file. Often, there are many CAESAR II input files in the been improved for Version 4.10, now the user’s input in the
target directory, some with similar names. Version 4.10 expanded CAESAR II global coordinate system (“Y” up) is reported, followed
the “file open” dialog to include a graphic “thumbnail” plot of the by the input translated into the new API-610 coordinate system (“Z”
current job file. Users can see a plot of the job file by simply up).
clicking on the file names, as shown in the figure below.
The use of this dialog allows users to select models without entering
the input processor and plotting the job to determine its configuration.
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June 1999 COADE Mechanical Engineering News
Static Output Filters: To aid in static output review, filters have Drop Lists have been added for load cases, stress types, directions,
been added to the menu. These filters allow the user to restrict etc. Certain lists (load cases for example) are built at run time, and
reports to show only critical results. For example, the figure below their content varies by job.
shows how stress results could be limited to only those nodes where
the stress exceeds 50% of the allowable. MRU List Expanded: The “Most Recently Used” file list has been
expanded (to include up to 15 jobs), and synchronized with the piping
input processor. The MRU list allows the reselection of any of the
last 15 jobs, simply by selecting the desired job file name from the
list. The expanded MRU list is shown in the figure below.
Input Echo: The INP formatting files have been modified to move
the job name reference to its own line. This allows the full path
name of the job to be displayed or printed.
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COADE Mechanical Engineering News June 1999
PV Elite Version 3.50 Features FLANGE ANALYSIS of Identical Flange Pairs Per Appendix Y
Corroded Flange ID, BCOR = B+2.0*FCOR 10.000 in.
By: Scott Mayeux Corroded Flange Thickness, TH = T-FCOR 0.625 in.
Corroded Large Hub, G1COR = G1-FCOR 0.000 in.
Corroded Small Hub, G0COR = G0-FCOR 0.000 in.
Code R Dimension, R = ((C-BCOR)/2.0)-G1COR 2.125 in.
PV Elite 3.50 is scheduled to be released in July 1999. This version Code R Dimension, R = ((C-BCOR)/2.0)-G1COR 2.125 in.
will contain new features and two new component analysis modules.
Gasket Contact Width, N = (GOD-GID) / 2 0.100 in.
The two new component modules include the analysis of stresses on Basic Gasket Width, B0 = N / 2.0 0.050 in.
Effective Gasket Width, BE = B0 0.050 in.
shells and nozzles per Welding Research Council Bulletin 297. Gasket Reaction Diameter, G = (GOD+GID) / 2.0 12.000 in.
The other new module will be the analysis of Flat Face Flanges with Radial Contact Dist., hcmax = (A - C) / 2 0.875 in.
INPUT VALUES, FLANGE NUMBER 1, Description: APPY Effective Hub Length, H0 = 0.000 in.
Hub Ratio, HRAT = Defined as 0.0 0.000
Description of Flange Geometry (Type) Loose Slip On Thickness Ratio, GRAT = Defined as 0.0 0.000
Design Pressure P 150.00 psig
Design Temperature 100.00 F
Corrosion Allowance FCOR 0.0000 in. Flange Factors for Loose Flange:
Factor Fl per 2-7.4 15.000
Flange Inside Diameter B 10.0000 in. Factor Vl per 2-7.5 194.636
Flange Outside Diameter A 16.0000 in. Factor f per 2-7.6 1.000
Flange Thickness T 0.6250 in.
Factors from Figure 2-7.1 K = 1.600
Flange Material SA-240 316L T = 1.668 U = 4.732
Flange Allowable Stress At Temperature SFO 16300.00 psi Y = 4.306 Z = 2.282
Flange Allowable Stress At Ambient SFA 16300.00 psi
Stress Analysis of a Class 1 Assembly
Bolt Material SA-193 B7
Bolt Allowable Stress At Temperature SBO 18000.00 psi Compute the Factor: F’
Bolt Allowable Stress At Ambient SBA 18000.00 psi = g0² * ( h0 + F * T ) / V
= 0.0000 * ( 0.0000 + 15.0000 * 0.6250 ) / 194.6356
Diameter of Bolt Circle C 14.2500 in. = 0.0000
Nominal Bolt Diameter DB 0.7500 in.
Type of Threads UNC Thread Series Factor: Js
Number of Bolts 12 = 1/B1 * ( 2*hd/ß + hc/a ) + pi*rb
= 1/10.000(2*2.125/1.2125+0.8750/1.5125)+3.14159*0.009012
Gasket Outside Diameter GOD 12.1000 in. = 0.4367
Gasket Inside Diameter GID 11.9000 in. Factor: Jp
Gasket Factor, m, M 0.0000 = 1/B1 * ( hd/ß + hc/a ) + pi*rb
Gasket Design Seating Stress Y 0.00 psi = 1/10.000(2.125/1.2125+0.8750/1.5125)+3.14159*0.009012
= 0.2614
Elastic Modulus of Bolt Material at Des. Temp 29538461 psi
Elastic Modulus of Flange Material at Des. Temp 28138460 psi
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June 1999 COADE Mechanical Engineering News
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COADE Mechanical Engineering News June 1999
Where appropriate, tool bar buttons have been provided to allow When appropriate, the help system refers to related sections of the
quick selection of frequently used options. Each tool bar button API codes. This can be seen in the figure above. Note that the help
corresponds to a text based menu item, as shown in the figure system is organized in a hierarchical fashion, similar to a book.
above. Selections can be made by pressing the tool bar button, or Each book (shown in the left pane above) represents a dialog box.
by picking the desired option from a menu. Chapters represent tabs on the dialog, with pages representing each
item. A built in search feature enables rapid navigation in the help
When an input menu or tool bar item is selected, a “tabbed” dialog system,.
box is presented to allow user input. A typical input dialog box is
shown in the following figure.
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June 1999 COADE Mechanical Engineering News
Once the input has been specified, and successfully passed error A plot of the nozzle interaction diagram (for longitudinal moment
checking, the analysis can commence. Following the analysis, the versus radial force) is shown in the figure below.
results can be viewed in tabular report form, or graphically. The
reports present the results segregated by topics, which correspond
to the main input categories. As in the help system, the output
reports reference code sections when appropriate. A typical output
report is shown in the figure below.
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COADE Mechanical Engineering News June 1999
There are other areas of the web site full of information, a few
examples are listed below:
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June 1999 COADE Mechanical Engineering News
Machine Characteristics
Machine Processor Memory Video Operating
System
gives a good indication of the overall system performance. The SPBENCH3 151 Kbytes 260 #1 2 sec 2 sec 13 sec 4 sec 7+7
#2 3 sec 3 sec 41 sec 6 sec
stress report generation is also a measure of the graphics system #3 3 sec 3 sec 45 sec 11 sec
#4 2 sec 2 sec 14 sec 5 sec
performance. The results of these tests for the five jobs (sketched #5 3 sec 2 sec 18 sec 5 sec
below) are presented in the following table. SPBENCH4 95 Kbytes 240 #1 2 sec 2 sec 10 sec 3 sec 6+2
#2 3 sec 3 sec 19 sec 3 sec
#3 3 sec 3 sec 21 sec 7 sec
#4 2 sec 2 sec 10 sec 4 sec
#5 3 sec 2 sec 12 sec 4 sec
NOTES:
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COADE Mechanical Engineering News June 1999
This is where Microsoft NetMeeting comes in. Once you have set COADE, Inc. has used NetMeeting on several occasions for
up a meeting you can work easily with other meeting participants by demonstration and support purposes. A Houston, Texas based
sharing programs. Only one computer needs to have the shared NetMeeting call was used to demonstrate CADWorx/PIPE to a
program, and all participants can either view or work on a document potential customer in Portland, Oregon. The customer installed and
simultaneously. In addition, people can send and receive files to made ready NetMeeting prior to the demonstration and then
work on. assembled all interested members of the organization in a conference
room. The meeting lasted approximately 2 hours and it showed the
Hey you’ve got a beard! potential customer all facets of CADWorx/PIPE. The customer
was quite pleased with the demonstration. The potential customer
Have you ever wanted to know what someone looks like? No? Well now is a satisfied COADE customer. Therefore, NetMeeting allows
if you did, at any time during a call NetMeeting’s audio and video COADE to provide full on-site demonstrations even to those
will let you see and hear other people (assuming you have video customers whom in-person visits are not economically viable.
capabilities on your computer). Even if you are unable to transmit
video, you can still receive video calls in the NetMeeting video
window. With the Chat feature, you can talk with multiple people.
In addition, these Chat calls can be encrypted, ensuring that your
meetings are private. Using the Whiteboard, you can explain concepts
by diagramming information, using a sketch, or displaying graphics.
You can also copy areas of your desktop or windows application
and paste them to the Whiteboard.
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June 1999 COADE Mechanical Engineering News
On several occasions, NetMeeting has been used for software support Tips
issues. It has been used to demonstrate the correct procedure for
accomplishing a certain task within CADWorx/PIPE. All Performance (or Preserving Bandwidth)
CADWorx support personnel have NetMeeting running and ready
to use whenever it is necessary. If support cannot be administered • Pick your ILS from those recommended at http://
over the phone or if the customer cannot understand some procedure, www.netmeet.net/homenews.htm
NetMeeting is always available. • Use video only when you have to.
How do I get started? • If you do decide to use video, set your system to gray scale.
And comb your hair.
1. You have to have Windows 95/98 or NT installed.
• Use audio only when you feel it may help.
Self-explanatory.
• If you decide to use audio use a single speaker head set and
2. Find and note down the best ILS server closest to you.
microphone. (It is a pain listening to your self with a half-
To do this go to http://www.netmeet.net/homenews.htm and
second delay, and they only cost a few dollars.)
click on the [Best NetMeeting ILS Server List] at http://
www.netmeet.net/green.htm • Be deliberate in your speech.
3. Download NetMeeting 3.0+ • Use Chat whenever you can. (Chat is like instant e-mail.)
To do this Go to http://www.microsoft.com/netmeeting/ and
follow the prompts for downloading NetMeeting 3.0+ (it is • Save your Chat sessions – they are good records of what was
absolutely free) said.
You can pick them from the ILS directory listing. Alternatively • Try to use a Internet Service Provider with good speed. AOL
if participants have elected not to let their information be at 5:00 in the afternoon is not going to work.
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COADE Mechanical Engineering News June 1999
Privacy and Security • From the “Start” button, select the “Run” menu option.
• Do not log on to the “Microsoft Internet Directory” to do your • In the edit box, type in command “regedit”, without the quotes
business. Every fool and his dog will be there. That is unless • When the program comes up, click on the “+” symbol next to
you wish to converse with fools and dogs! HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
• Do not tell Bill Gates that I said so. • Next, click on the “+” symbol next to SOFTWARE
• In NetMeeting go to the Tools/Options menu and on the • Next, click on the “+” symbol next to COADE, Inc.
General tab select “Do not show my name in the directory
listing”. This will stop anybody interrupting your call and • Finally, click on the “+” symbol next to CAESAR II, PV Elite,
keep your information away from prying eyes. Only those that CODECALC, or TANK
know that you are logged on will be able to contact you. Under this registry key, you may see several folder icons. Click on
• Do not turn over your shared application to anyone that you the icon for the current version of the software you are using, to
cannot trust. make it current. Now you have to add the registry key that controls
the “on-line registration”.
• Trust no one!
Until next time, good luck and happy sharing! • From the “Edit” menu, select New,
• then pick “DWORD value”
• type in the name of the string, in this case the word
Automatic On-Line Registration “Registration”, without the quotes. Press [Enter].
By: Richard Ay
At this point, you should see the new string in the right hand pane of
The latest versions of CAESAR II, PV Elite, CODECALC, and the REGEDIT dialog box, although it doesn’t have a value yet.
TANK all provide for automatic on-line registration. The “on-line Since this new string has the focus, just press [Enter] again to open
registration” is designed to set a flag in the System Registry so that up a dialog where you can set its value. In the edit box that comes
it is only displayed once, regardless of whether you register or not. up, enter 1 and press [Enter] again.
Subsequent access to this option is via the “Help” menu. Even
though you may have registered a previous version, this is an You can now exit REGEDIT by clicking on the “X” in the upper
option, for you, to insure we have up to date phone, fax, and e-mail right hand corner of the REGEDIT window. This should take care
contact information. The software sets the Registry flag expressly of the problem. The figure below shows the registry tree for
to avoid bothering users - the prompt to register is designed to be CAESAR II Version 4.10, and the registration flag.
displayed only once.
What do we use this information for? There are two main purposes:
a) development of an e-mail data base to notify users when a new
update is available for download from the web site, and b) as a
backup for contacting users for support issues. COADE supports
many users who call or fax with support questions. Often times,
there is no return contact information on the fax, or the return fax
number is incorrect, or missing country information, or the phone
number provided is incorrect. Alternate contact information insures
we can respond in a timely fashion. It is to your advantage to
register the software and provide all requested contact data. COADE
never sells this contact information, nor uses it for any other
purpose.
If the “on-line registration” dialog continues to pop up, then for If the problem continues to occur, then try deleting the registry entry
some reason the software is not able to set the flag in the System completely, starting at the CAESAR II, PV Elite, CODECALC,
Registry, or the registry is not responding properly. (Do you have or TANK level. Delete this entire part of the tree. The software
rights to your registry?) You can do this manually as outlined will rebuild this the next time you start up (which means you will
below. Note, if you have never modified or viewed the System get the registration prompt again). You should be able to answer
Registry before, get someone who has. If you foul this up, you “NO” to the prompt, and it should write the registry entry.
could seriously cripple your machine.
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June 1999 COADE Mechanical Engineering News
Additional changes made in this edition of the code are listed below Everyone is aware of the “year 2000” (Y2K) problem, which could
by section. affect many computer systems at the turn of the century. COADE is
contacted daily by current customers concerned about COADE
Sect 2.2.4 Material Fe-430 has been changed to E-275. software products and their ability to handle the “year 2000”. Since
Similarly, material Fe-510 has been changed to March of 1997, COADE products have been Y2K compliant (see
E-355. the article on this subject on the COADE web site at http://
www.coade.com/genarticles/year2000.htm).
Table 2-3 This table has been broken into Table 2-3a and
Table 2-3b, to support SI and U.S. units. Many COADE users have also performed their own testing for Y2K
Additionally, material references to Fe-430 have problems. This entails setting the computer date forward and
been changed to E-275, and Fe-510 have been running the software. Utilizing the software with several of these
changed to E-355. futuristic dates shows that indeed there are no problems. Be aware
however, that COADE software always writes the time and date of
Sect 3.6.1.1 This table now includes thicknesses down to the last software use back to the ESL (External Software Lock).
5mm. This ESL date data is checked each time the software is started. If
Table 3-2 All material names have an “M” appended to the time/date value of the computer is earlier than the value stored
them. Additionally, material A-841 has been on the ESL, the software assumes the computer has been back-
dropped from this table (but this material is still dated, and generates fatal error #5100. Further use of the software
included in Table 2-3b). is prevented when this happens. The remedy for this situation is to
generate the remote ESL fax codes and send them to COADE
Sect 3.10.2.5.3 The equation for the maximum area of a frangible (either by fax or e-mail) and request reauthorization codes to reset
joint has been modified slightly, the constant the time/date values on the ESL.
has been changed.
*Sect 3.10.5.1 The equation provided in U.S. customary units The Y2K problem can affect other software also. Just because one
for the minimum thickness of self-supporting or two applications check out doesn’t necessarily mean something
cone roofs is incorrect. This printing of the else won’t cause a problem. Microsoft has been continuously
code used the SI constant in the U.S. form of the updating the Y2K information on their web site,
equation. http://www.microsoft.com/technet/year2k/. Anyone using Microsoft
products, including the operating system should regularly check
Sect 3.10.6.1 Added a statement that the minimum thickness this site for updated information.
is exclusive of corrosion requirements.
There are updates available from Microsoft’s web site to address
Sect 3.11.4 This is a new section to cover the sliding of tanks the Y2K issue for Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT.
due to wind. You should insure your operating system is as up to date as your
application software.
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COADE Mechanical Engineering News June 1999
Introduction Back in Version 3.0 (April 1990) we added bi-linear restraints (X2,
RX2, etc.) to CAESAR II, (see Figure 2). Today these are most
Over the last few months I have fielded a series of user queries on often used to model the elastic/plastic response of soil but these
the proper modeling of flexible joint assemblies in CAESAR II. boundary conditions (defining a stiffness relationship between a
For most situations, the program’s automated expansion joint node in the system and “earth”) can also be defined between two
modeler readily addresses these issues. These specific questions, nodes in the system. The key here is the NODE/CNODE pair, (see
however, brought up advanced issues that are not covered in our Figure 3). Instead of modeling the hinge as an expansion joint,
documentation – specifically, the break-free moment to start motion “simply” define the joint as a group of six individual restraints with
in these joints and also the long-outstanding issue of (large) element CNODE’s defined. Five of the six restraints will be rigid (across
rotation or linkage nature of the element between the two hinges in the NODE/CNODE pair) and the sixth will be this bi-linear rotational
the assembly, (see Figure 1). This linkage issue is one that I have restraint. The initial stiffness (K1) will be rigid. The joint will go
often (unsuccessfully) pondered. I should also note that in two of flexible (K2=1) when the break-free load (Fy) is reached. No more
the three queries, the accuracy and manageability of CAESAR II iteration is required. If the internal moment is less than the joint
was explicitly called into question – associates of the users presenting friction, it will not rotate. If the load is big enough, the joint will
the questions believed CAESAR II cannot “do” these calculations rotate and carry the friction load.
correctly. Such talk challenged me once again to review these
issues and instigated this article. I propose that with the models
presented here – by using unique CAESAR II model components –
you cannot do it much better.
Figure 2
Figure 1
The basic idea with hinge friction in a ball joint or similar hinge
system is that there is some moment that must be exceeded before
the hinge starts to rotate. Once rotation begins, no additional load is Figure 3
required. Correspondence provided by this user indicated a brute-
force method to satisfy this requirement. A hinged expansion joint I guess I got a little too excited a few sentences ago. What I should
is defined in the model with arbitrary hinge stiffness. The analysis have said is, if the axis of rotation is known, no iteration is required.
is run and the internal bending moment at the hinge is compared to If true, mechanical hinges exist, the bi-linear restraint axis is known.
the defined “break-free” moment. If the load in the results is higher Or, for a ball joint model, if the system is planar (e.g. all pipe
than this friction moment, the stiffness is reduced and the analysis is running in the X and Y direction) the axis of rotation is obviously
run again. If the internal load is low, the stiffness is increased. A perpendicular to that plane (here, Z). But what about a ball joint
model that exists in a three dimensional (3D) system? The axis
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June 1999 COADE Mechanical Engineering News
about which the joint bends is not clearly defined and, since the total chose the “operating” case to set this axis and the axis is determined
break-free friction must be defined about one axis, both non-torsional by the differences in the rotations of the two ends of the ball joint.
axes cannot be used. So for 3D systems the axis about which the For example, if nodes 1 and 2 are the ends of the individual joint,
joint bends must be determined before the friction model can be then (a,b,c) is set to (rx1-rx2, ry1-ry2, rz1-rz2). Use this (a,b,c)
built. vector to define the bi-linear rotational restraint (RX2) as defined
above. Place the sixth, and final, rigid restraint definition as the
Here is the step-by-step process that resulted from the work with cross product of the (a,b,c) vector and the axis of the pipe – the
User 1: resulting vector will be perpendicular to the axis of rotation and
perpendicular to the pipe.
A few givens:
If the ball joints still rotate about the set (a,b,c) axis, there should
• No matter the source of the load, no rotation will occur in the be no load on this sixth rotational restraint in this NODE/CNODE
ball joint until the moment reaches a certain “break-free” pair and the total resultant moment should not exceed the break-
magnitude, say 4000 N-m. free load. If the total load is less than the break-free moment, then
there should be no rotation between the NODE & CNODE. If the
• Although defining pipe properties between two nodes is the total, resultant moment at the ball joint exceeds the break-free
most common means of defining the structural relationship moment, the other, non-axial, rotational restraint is (incorrectly)
between these nodes, other ways to relate nodes exist in carrying load. This indicates that the axis of rotation needs
CAESAR II. An expansion joint could be modeled between adjustment. With other nonlinear effects such as gaps on guides
the two nodes or a (relative) restraint could define this nodal and friction, I am not surprised that this would occur.
relationship by specifying a “NODE/CNODE” pair in the
CAESAR II restraint definition. Although I cannot state it would yield a more conservative result,
you may also try running the model without the other two
• CAESAR II has a bilinear, rotational restraint model – (perpendicular) rotational restraints. Instead of checking the
“RX2(a,b,c)”– that models this break-free effect about the model by examining the resultant moment, you can check the
given axis (a,b,c). Let K1 default to rigid, set K2 to 1 and set relative rotation between the NODE/CNODE pair. If the resulting
Fy to the break-free moment where the joint stiffness changes vector shifts, you may have to update your input with these new
from K1 to K2. With this definition, the two nodes will not data.
rotate in relation to each other until this Fy (or My of 4000 N-
m) is met, after which the rotation is (essentially) free. Separate analyses are required for each load combination examined
since, again, the vector about which the ball joint rotates is a
• The other 5 degrees of freedom must also be addressed in this function of these loads.
NODE/CNODE restraint definition – the three translation
terms (X, Y, Z) and the two rotational vectors perpendicular User 2 – Benchmarking the Model
to that (a,b,c) axis of rotation. We chose to set them all rigid.
One of our European dealers brought up this issue two months after
• The one problem is setting the axis (a,b,c) about which the that first break-free question came up. There was no finger pointing
node pair rotates. That’s handled below. The remaining two here. His user was going to take the iterative stiffness approach and
rotational axes are set by the axis of the pipe around the ball wanted to know if we had any better ideas. What made this query
joint and the vector perpendicular to that (a,b,c) and the pipe significant to the issue at hand was the reference to the Barco Ball
axis. Joints catalog. Barco has since sold its ball joint components to
• The vector cross product (a,b,c) and the pipe axis will define Hyspan1 . The new catalog is titled Series 6500 Hyspan Barco Ball
that third rotational axis. I find it easy to use the program Joints Catalog 1000C. Our dealer provided me with the catalog
MathCAD to perform this cross-product operation. data that sets these friction moments. In addition, this catalog
worked through an example of these load calculations. I now had
The only uncertainty in this model is in setting the axis about which my benchmark to test my approach. More importantly, the example
this ball joint rotates. We assumed that, as long as the loads didn’t went on to calculate (again, by hand) the assembly’s “mechanical
change, the ball joint would rotate about the same axis no matter motion” (transverse deflection due to rotation). Once again I was
what the break-free moment happened to be. The simplest break- reminded of this unsettled issue in CAESAR II.
free load is zero. An analysis was made with no break-free load –
a pinned joint, defined with three rigid translational restraints and
one rigid torsional restraint at each NODE/CNODE pair. The
1
vector about which each free ball joint rotates (a,b,c) will be used Contact Hyspan Precision Products at (619) 421-1355 in Chula
to set the axis about which the loaded ball joint will rotate. We Vista California for your local representative. Visit their web site
at www.hyspan.com.
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COADE Mechanical Engineering News June 1999
I was destined to write this article. Just a few weeks ago another
user asked for our response to a vendor’s statement that hinge joints
in pipe stress analysis programs make the results “unreliable.”
Here is my response:
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June 1999 COADE Mechanical Engineering News
So what is “large”? That depends on the spool length and the Rod Model is the Key
expansion joint axial stiffness. I think the absolute error in the
expansion joint load should be calculated approximately (for But this sort of iterative method is found in CAESAR II’s nonlinear
an untied expansion joint) as: restraint model. You set the conditions of the restraint, the program
runs the analysis, checks the conditions and, if these conditions are
Error = spool length (1 - cos theta) kaxial not met, the program updates the stiffness matrix (and/or load
vector) to adjust for these conditions and runs the model again.
So obviously for this configuration, the error increases with This is common for +Y restraints, restraint gaps, friction and (here
spool length and angle – small angles/small lengths may be it is!…) large-rotation rod models. A typical directional restraint
OK. defines a plane of motion. For example, a Y restraint allows motion
However, for a tied universal joint, the absolute error in the tie in the horizontal plane. A YROD model, on the other hand, allows
rod load (and therefore in the pipe) should be approximately: spherical motion about the pivot point of the rod. This nonlinear
restraint – the rod model – is what we need to associate an offset
Error = tierod length [1/(cos theta) - 1] ktierods with a deflection. If we incorporate the rod model in our “linkage”
model, CAESAR II will do this iteration for us.
This varies with the tie rod length and stiffness. For a single
8-foot long, ½” diameter tie rod (stiffness of 60,000 pounds Years ago when Dan Edgar of Pathway and Tony Paulin (the
per inch), with a one-degree angle, this comes out to 875 original author of CAESAR II) developed the CAESAR II
pounds. Is this significant? Probably not. When does it automated expansion joint modeler, we were aware of this linkage
become so? Hard to say. issue and the rod model was available but we could not build a
I have been working with a unique restraint model in complete model that answered this issue. I have tried several times
CAESAR II that may get us around this problem. It’s the rod since then to make it work with no success. And why not? The rod
model. I believe you can run a rigid rod model between two loaded up the existing spool piece. I now realize that the same
hinges to remove this unloaded strain. I might have something stiffness matrix that didn’t give the transverse displacement
to say about this in an upcoming newsletter article. developed a huge load on the spool piece when the rod model
pulled the pipe in the transverse direction, compressing the spool
The question, then, is how big are your rotations and what’s piece. What did I do differently this time? I removed the axial
the distance between the hinges? stiffness of that connecting pipe. I did this by defining an artificial
slip joint in the linkage piping. Now the only shortcoming to this
The Problem model is that the rod model eliminates any thermal growth of the
spool piece. I can live with that.
So now the problem is set. As a pipe rotates about a hinge, the other
end swings through an arc. This linkage causes the axial movement The Barco Example Revisited
of the far hinge to pull the pipe in the transverse direction, (see
Figure 1c). CAESAR II cannot simulate this pull with its stiffness The Barco catalog refers to this transverse displacement – my so-
matrix approach to piping. The stiffness model is based upon the called linkage displacement – as mechanical motion. Hand
initial piping layout. We will call this the neutral position. The calculations are straightforward. An approximation for this offset
relationship between loads and displacements is set by this neutral (D) is D = E2/2L where E is the total expansion carried by the
position stiffness. The stiffness matrix defines the X displacement assembly and L is the distance between the hinges3 . Here, with a 6-
for an X load at the end of the hinged run but it does not define the inch growth and a 4-foot spool piece, the Barco example shows a
secondary Y displacement, (see Figure 1b). It’s as if you take a mechanical motion of 0.375 inches. This deflection will be important
stiffness snapshot of the initial layout. For a very small X load, in setting the minimum distance to the first guide. The catalog
there will be a given X displacement and no measurable Y example uses a simplified form of the guided cantilever equation
displacement. The stiffness model is not updated with the new for stress. To develop this deflection in the CAESAR II model, run
position of the link. Instead the relationship remains set by the a YROD model over the top of the spool piece using the same nodes
initial configuration, and as the X load increases, the X displacement as the spool piece in the NODE/CNODE pair. Be sure to get the
increases and no Y displacement or load is developed. Only an sign right. A YROD and +YROD are identical and indicate the
iterative method would work here where the model layout is updated
to include the most recent rotation of the link. The new orientation
of the link will reset the stiffness matrix and provide for the added 3
deflection in the Y direction in the next analysis. This is something The exact equation is from the Pythagorean Theorem:
no one wants to do by hand. L2 = (L-D) 2+E2. This expands to 0 = -2LD+D2+E2. The resulting
D2, being small, is dropped to simplify the final equation for D.
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COADE Mechanical Engineering News June 1999
pivot point is above the restrained node (the CNODE is above the Closing
NODE) while a -YROD model has the pivot below the restrained
node. The spool piece is updated by adding a zero-length expansion It works. So, if you think CAESAR II is unreliable in these
joint at its midpoint. This expansion joint will have an axial situations or requires tedious iterations you may want to try this.
stiffness of 1 and all the other stiffnesses set to big numbers (1E12). Keep in mind, though, that you can run the simple model first and
Leave the Effective ID blank, (see Figure 5). Once again to use the error calculations developed for User 2 above. If the error is
unclutter the model, I simplified it eliminating the 200-foot run and unacceptable, go ahead and try this model.
replacing it with a 6-inch deflection at the end of the ball joint
assembly. Once again, I have included a 1-inch and 3-inch end The data files developed for this article are available on COADE’s
deflection as well. web site in the file Barco.zip. The contents of this file are described
in Table 3.
Table 3
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June 1999 COADE Mechanical Engineering News
A word of caution is necessary here, it is imperative that extreme Registry maintenance is becoming more of an issue. On Windows
care be exercised when using REGEDIT. A mistake here could 95 systems, the registry is limited to 64k in size. After many
prevent the system from properly starting up! installations and de-installations of application software, the registry
can have orphan entries, just taking up space. Microsoft has
As the previous article indicated, software applications utilize the recognized this and released a maintenance program which will
registry for a wide variety of reasons. The operating system also automatically clean up the registry. This application is
uses the registry extensively. A few of the more important registry REGCLEAN.EXE, and cleans up the registry, by deleting
items you may want to modify are discussed below. unnecessary entries.
• The Icon Cache: The registry key is: Before using REGCLEAN, it would be wise to make a backup copy
“hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft\windows\current of your current registry, just in case. This backup copy of the
version\explorer\…” Click on the “explorer” entry in the left registry can be created as follows:
pane, and you will see an entry in the right pane for “Max
Cached Icons”. Increasing this value provides more system • Click on the Windows [Start] button.
memory for the maintenance and display of program icons on • Move up to the [Run] option and click it.
the desktop.
• In the edit box, type in “regedit”, without the quotes
If the system icons are corrupted, the only way to recover is to
delete the icon cache file, C:\WINNT\ShellIconCache. To do • Once REGEDIT starts, pull down the “registry” menu.
this, you must shut down all programs running on your
machine, then • Select “export registry file” from the menu.
1. Start the MS-DOS Command Prompt. • Pick a directory to store the file, and specify a file name. A
good place to store this file is c:\backup, and a good name
2. Start the Task Manager by doing CTRL ALT DEL and would be the date with a “.reg” suffix, i.e.
hitting the Task Manger Button c:\backup\apr15_99.reg.
3. Go to the Process Tab and Stop all instances Explorer.exe Now you have a backup copy of the registry, that could be
implemented using the “import registry file” option.
4. At the Command Prompt change the file’s attribute from
hidden and delete the file
5. C:\> attrib C:\WINNT\shelliconcache -h
6. C:\> del C:\WINNT\shelliconcache
7. CTRL ALT DEL and choose Shutdown and reboot your
system
19
COADE Mechanical Engineering News June 1999
Listed below are those errors & omissions in the CAESAR II • Corrected the title presentation on the restraint summary
program that have been identified since the last newsletter. These report for pages 2 and up
corrections are available for download from our WEB site. Unless • Corrected a memory structure to prevent the loss of the
otherwise stated, all of these changes and corrections are contained two line output report title
in the 990507 build.
• Corrected the “4 view” option to work properly in the
1) AISC Structural Unity Checker: Corrected structural unity static output.
check computation for single angles.
• Corrected a problem with the (input) highlight option
2) Analysis Setup: Corrected a problem where reviewing which caused the request to occasionally fail.
spectrum data points zeroed out the data.
• Corrected a data conversion problem in the input echo
• Corrected a problem with the “spectrum load case” and routine which displayed erraneous data for pressure
“static/dynamic” input grid where entries were blanked. valves 3-9. This error was corrected in the 990617 build.
• Corrected a problem which prevented users from reusing • Corrected a redraw problem which caused graphics print
negative direction cosines. requests to snap to the center of the model. This error was
corrected in the 990617 build.
• Corrected scan of _a (input) file for units used for wind
tables when the job contained uniform loads. • Corrected an error in jobs containing only predefined
spring hangers - which caused the hanger report to be
• Removed an artificial data size limit on dynamic data. empty. This error was corrected in the 990617 build.
• Corrected the units display on several dynamic input 9) Piping Error Checker: An error was discovered in the
dialogs. This error was corrected in the 990617 build. computation of the thickness used for the effective section
3) Structural Input Processor: Corrected condition where the modulus calculation when the computed SIF value was less
plot tool bar icons where toggled backwards. than 1.0. The computation of Ts was performed before the SIF
value was reset to 1.0. This error was corrected in the 4.10
• Corrected a problem where maximizing the window did release.
not resize the structural image.
• Corrected an error in the application of pressure stiffening
• Modified several low level graphics routines for speed to B31.1 bends. If the configuration directive “Include
improvements. Pressure Stiffening” was set to “yes”, the pressure
4) Dynamic Output Module: Added a number of “printer” stiffening correction was applied twice.
defaults, for the case when a machine does not have a printer • Corrected the test for T3-T9 and P2-P9 existance to avoid
installed. This allows viewing the output on screen. the omission of temperatures and pressures from the
• Corrected a data conversion problem in the input echo available load list.
routine which displayed erraneous data for pressure • Corrected abort routine to avoid access violation on exit.
values 3-9. This error was corrected in the 990617 build.
• Corrected an error which copied force vector 7 into force
5) Intergraph Interface: Corrected the translation of bend vectors 8 and 9. This error was corrected in the 990617
elements at the end of the element list. build.
6) Miscellaneous Analysis Module: Corrected a memory 10) Piping Input Module: Corrected the “bend” check box to
initialization problem, which crashed the help system. avoid crash/lockup when plotting with the spreadsheet
• Corrected acquisition of load case name from static displayed, or viewing the extended operating cases.
output file. • Corrected the display (activation) of the “R1/R2” fields
• Corrected a problem where the #3 key on the numeric pad for tees when using the TD/12 piping code.
could not be used in some instances. • Corrected the “tab” order of the edit boxes on the spring
7) Static Stress Computation Module: Corrected a memory hanger auxiliary dialog.
allocation error for the BS-7159 allowable arrays.
20
June 1999 COADE Mechanical Engineering News
21
COADE Mechanical Engineering News June 1999
PV Elite Notices
Listed below are those errors & omissions in the PV Elite program
that have been identified since the last newsletter. These corrections
are available for download from our WEB site.
22
June 1999 COADE Mechanical Engineering News
Download this free units conversion utility from the COADE web site.
23
COADE Engineering Software
12777 Jones Rd. Suite 480 Tel: 281-890-4566 Fax: 281-890-3301 BBS: 281-890-7286
Houston, Texas 77070 WEB: www.coade.com E-Mail: query@coade.com CompuServe: 73073,362