Comparative Study

Ansys Vs. Caesar II for Piping System Analysis

 Table of Contents

Topic 1: Modelling of Piping System ............................................................................................ 3

Topic 2: Different process parameter ........................................................................................... 5
Topic 3: Flow Analysis ..................................................................................................................... 7
Topic 4: Occasional Loads .............................................................................................................. 8
Topic 5: Weight of Valve & Flange ................................................................................................ 9
Topic 6: Design Code & Code Compliance ............................................................................... 11
Topic 7: Basis of selecting Expansion Joint ............................................................................ 12
Topic 8: Analysis Temperature .................................................................................................... 14
Topic 9: Mitre Bend ......................................................................................................................... 15
Topic 10: Support Philosophy ...................................................................................................... 17
Topic 11: Load at Pump Nozzle .................................................................................................... 19
Topic 12: Nozzle load evaluation table wrt Pump GAD ......................................................... 21
Topic 13: Software compatability for Piping System Analysis ............................................ 22
Topic 1: Modelling of Piping System

Ansys Analysis

Consideration:

Modelling has been done only Discharge line after reducer.

Suction line has not been modelled. Piping component like Expansion Joint, Valve,
Flange, and Reducer are missing in the model.

Snap:
Caesar II Analysis

Consideration:

Modelling has been done as a combined system along with Pump modelling with
Suction & Discharge line. This model also includes each piping component
(Expansion Joint, Valve, Flange & reducer with exact properties and dimensions as
indicated in input piping drawing).

Snap:
Recommendation

For any Piping system, it is recommended to do the analysis considering suction and
discharge line as a combined system.
Each pump should have its own expansion from the anchor point at base towards
nozzle. For this reason pump has to be modelled in analysis to find out displacement
at its nozzle.

Topic 2: Different process parameter

Ansys Analysis

Consideration:

Density of fluid, internal pressure considered.

Snap:
Caesar II Analysis

Consideration:

Density of fluid, Internal operating and design pressure, Fluid operating and design
pressure, Hydro test pressure along with equivalent material of pipe have been
considered.

Snap:

Recommendation

For any Piping system, it is recommended to do the analysis considering suction and
discharge line as a combined system.
Each pump should have its own expansion from the anchor point at base towards
nozzle. For this reason pump has to be modelled in analysis to find out displacement
at its nozzle.
Topic 3: Flow Analysis

Ansys Analysis

Consideration:

Flow analysis has been carried out to find out force on each elbow.

Snap:

Caesar II Analysis

Consideration:

Flow analysis can’t be carried out through Caesar II software.

Snap:

Not Applicable

Recommendation

If flow analysis is absolutely necessary then the same can be calculated through
different software and the result will be the input in Caesar II for further analysis.
However, considering the process parameter, no such analysis is required for this
system as flexibility analysis through Caesar II is enough for load, displacement and
stress computation. Many process inputs (Density, Temperature, Pressure etc.) are
already provided as input in Caesar II during analysis.
Topic 4: Occasional Loads

Ansys Analysis

Consideration:

No occasional loads considered.

Snap:

Caesar II Analysis

Consideration:

Occasional loads (Wind & Seismic) have been considered as per client requirement
and technical specifications. Subsequent Code foe wind & seismic have also been
applied for calculation.

Snap:

Wind Load
 Seismic Load

Recommendation

The client has provided the wind and seismic data for carrying out the analysis.
Refer clause No. 5.0 & 6.0 of Technical Specification for further reference.
Considering the size of the pipe line, it is mandatory to consider wind and seismic
data in analysis as applicable.

Topic 5: Weight of Valve & Flange

Ansys Analysis

Consideration:

It is not clear whether the weight of valve and flanges are considered.

Snap:

Not applicable

Caesar II Analysis

Consideration:

All weights are considered as per provided Valve GAD and flange.

Snap:
 Valve Weight

Flange Weight

Recommendation

It is mandatory to take valve/flange weight into consideration as it has a great effect

in calculation of stress and loading.
Topic 6: Design Code & Code Compliance

Ansys Analysis

Consideration:

No piping code mentioned in analysis. Hence, code allowable stress is not clear.

Snap:

Not applicable

Caesar II Analysis

Consideration:

Analysis has been performed in accordance with ASME B31.3. Allowable stress for
each piping material has been mentioned in Table: A-1of ASME B31.3. Hence, it is
very easy to execute Code Compliance report from this analysis.
Snap:
Recommendation

In any piping analysis it is absolutely required to mention analysis code through

which code compliance report can be obtained.

Topic 7: Basis of selecting Expansion Joint

Ansys Analysis

Consideration:
Nothing found.
Snap:
Not applicable
Caesar II Analysis

Consideration:
Analysis has been carried out considering tied expansion joint.The spring rate has
been taken from Hydoflex catalogue and the Analysis has been run.

Snap:

Caesar II stiffness input in N/cm

 Caesar II model of Tied Expansion Joint

Hydroflex Tied Expansion Joint Catalogue Data

Recommendation

It is necessary to have the datasheet of expansion joint during procurement. This

datasheet is prepared based on the expansion joint data used in the analysis. It is a
very standard engineering practice.
Topic 8: Analysis Temperature

Ansys Analysis

Consideration:

Only operating temperature(53.6°C) has been considered. Analysis at Design

temperature is not performed. As a result no stress check has been done in design
temp.

Snap:

Caesar II Analysis

Consideration:

Analysis has been performed for both operating (54°C) and design (65°C)
temperature condition. It is mentioned in the analysis as T1 & T2 respectively. Stress
check has been performed in T1 & T2 temperature.
Snap:

Recommendation

As per ASME B31.3 guideline any analysis should be performed with design
temperature also as the same is considered as worst condition of the system.

Topic 9: Mitre Bend

Ansys Analysis

Consideration:

Nothing found.

Snap:

Not applicable

Caesar II Analysis

Consideration:

3 cut mitre bend is considered.

Snap:

Recommendation

SIF(Stress Intensification Factor) is different for smooth and mitre bend. To maintain
the accuracy of the analysis it is required to consider mitre bend wherever
applicable. Refer ASME B31.3 guideline for process piping analysis.
Topic 10: Support Philosophy

Ansys Analysis

Consideration:

Support 1 is an imaginary support as in reality it is not present just after expansion

joint with Y direction (vertical) fixed. Also absorber nozzle has been considerd as
only one directional stop.(X direction)

Snap:

Caesar II Analysis

Consideration:

Each support has been placed in line with the input drawing. The support at elbow
has been shifted to minimize generated load at pump discharge nozzle.
Each pump nozzle has been modelled with connecting node considerd as Anchor.
Absorber nozzle is modelled as Anchor with stiffness value to make it flexible nozzle.
Snap:

Recommendation

Each equipment nozzle should be consedered as Anchor if no displacement data is

available. In Anchor support all forces (3 directions) and moments (3 directions) are
restricted. However, in Ansys only Y direction has been fixed.
If elbow support is absolute required, then the Caesar II analysis can be carried out
also. In that case, Nozzle load evaluation table with respect to pump nozzle will not
be submitted. The analysis will consist of compleate stress report along with civil
load data and expansion joint data sheet for procurement.
Topic 11: Load at Pump Nozzle

Ansys Analysis

Consideration:

The load at Support 1 is approx. 63 Ton. (Pipe line-3)

Snap:

Caesar II Analysis

Consideration:
The load at pump discharge nozzle is approx. 19 ton (with elbow support) (Pipe Line-
3).

Snap:

Recommendation

The load computed through Ansys at Support 1 will definitely act at Pump discharge
nozzle as Expansion joint can not a load taking component. Refer defination of Pipe
Expansion Joint.
“Pipe expansion joints are necessary in systems that convey high temperature
substances such as steam or exhaust gases, or to absorb movement and
vibration. A typical joint is a bellows of metal (most commonly stainless steel),
plastic (such as PTFE), fabric (such as glass fibre) or an elastomer such as rubber.
A bellows is made up of a series of convolutions, with the shape of the convolution
designed to withstand the internal pressures of the pipe, but flexible enough to
accept axial, lateral, and angular deflections. Expansion joints are also designed for
other criteria, such as noise absorption, anti-vibration, earthquake movement,
and building settlement. Metal expansion joints have to be designed according to
rules laid out by EJMA, for fabric expansion joints there are guidelines and a state-
of-the-art description by the Quality Association for Fabric Expansion Joints. Pipe
expansion joints are also known as "compensators", as they compensate for
the thermal movement.“
(Referene: Wikipedia
Link:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expansion_joint#:~:text=An%20expansion%20joint%2C
%20or%20movement,%2C%20ships%2C%20and%20other%20structures.)
Comparing the magnitude of the loads, it is evident that the generated load through
Caesar II is in lower side.

Topic 12: Nozzle load evaluation table wrt Pump GAD

Ansys Analysis
Consideration:
Not performed.
Snap:
Not applicable

Caesar II Analysis
Consideration:
Performed after shifting support from elbow to minimize generated load at nozzle.
Snap:
Recommendation

Nozzle load evaluation table is an optional criteria depends upon client requirement.
If it is not required by you, then we can also perform the Caesar II analysis. In that
case, Nozzle load evaluation table will not be submitted.

Topic 13: Software compatability for Piping System Analysis

Ansys Analysis

Consideration:

Ansys is an Engineering simulation software. Ansys develops and markets

engineering simulation software for use across the product life cycle.[8] Ansys
Mechanical finite element analysis software is used to simulate computer models of
structures, electronics, or machine components for analyzing the strength,
toughness, elasticity, temperature distribution, electromagnetism, fluid flow, and
other attributes.[8] Ansys is used to determine how a product will function with
different specifications, without building test products or conducting crash tests.For
example, Ansys software may simulate how a bridge will hold up after years of
traffic, how to best process salmon in a cannery to reduce waste, or how to design a
slide that uses less material without sacrificing safety. (Referene: Wikipedia
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ansys)

Caesar II Analysis

Consideration:

Process piping and power piping are typically checked by pipe stress engineers to
verify that the routing, nozzle loads, hangers, and supports are properly placed and
selected such that allowable pipe stress is not exceeded under different loads such
as sustained loads, operating loads, pressure testing loads, etc., as stipulated by the
ASME B31, EN 13480, GOST 32388, RD 10-249 or any other applicable codes and
standards. It is necessary to evaluate the mechanical behavior of the piping under
regular loads (internal pressure and thermal stresses) as well under occasional and
intermittent loading cases such as earthquake, high wind or special vibration, and
water hammer.[4][5] This evaluation is usually performed with the assistance of a
specialized (finite element) pipe stress analysis computer programs such as
AutoPIPE, CAEPIPE, CAESAR, PASS/START-PROF, ROHR2.
(Referene: Wikipedia
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piping)

Recommendation

The application of Ansys and CaesarII have been stated above and is self
explanatory.