PIPE FEA USING ANSYS
FEA and ANSYS
Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
A numerical technique used for finding approximate
solution of physical problems
Only through the use of modern day computers, FEA
becomes effective and practical
ANSYS
The FEA software widely used in the industry, one of
Hatch’s main FEA software.
Two interfaces: classical and Workbench share the core
solvers
Workbench is easy to use, best suited for 3D modeling
Classical is more powerful, gives the user more flexibilities
ANSYS Classical
ANSYS Workbench
FEA procedures
Pipe System To Be Analyzed
Long, large diameter, thin walled steel
pipes
Lined with refractory and insulations
There is no other external loads except
for self weight
The pipes will see thermal growth at
start up
The roof of the bins may also move due
to thermal expansion at start up
FEA decisions
3D SOLID elements? – the model is too big!
2D SHELL elements? – possible, but still fairly
expensive (in term of computing time and model
set up time)
1D BEAM elements – quick and easy, accurate
results for reaction forces and moments, which
may be used in hand calculations for welds and
guidance for support selections.
Detailed 3D / 2D sub models for Y-pipe section
and diverters may be analyzed using the 1D BEAM
model results.
FEA load cases
The load steps the feed pipes may see:
Erect
Connect pipes to the bins
Start up, temperature going up (max. 200 C)
Production cycles
A good understanding of each
load step is essential for the
success of the analysis!
FEA load cases
Load cases for the FEA model:
0 Run one load case to determine the preload
required from the Spring support and size the
spring
1. Room temperature; all support connected except
for the expansion joint; gravity load applied
2. Room temperature; all support connected
including the expansion joint; gravity load
applied
3. Uniform max. temperature applied on pipes; all
support connected including the expansion joint;
gravity load applied; bin roof thermal
movements applied
FEA for pipes
Mesh
Visual representation
“Skeleton” Line Model Beam Model of the beam model
FEA for pipes
Element type
PIPE16 (pipes and flanges): specialized BEAM element
COMBIN14 (expansion joints & spring supports): Spring
elements
LINK 10 (cable support, if applicable): tension only link
elements
Real constants
Each element is defined by Element Type and a set of real
constant values
For example, “PIPE16 and Real constant set 2” tell ANSYS
these elements behave like a circular hollow beam,
OD=0.4064m, Wall thickness=0.0095m,…
Material properties
Mild steel
Increase the density for the pipes to match the density of
pipe+refractory+insulation
FEA Results for Pipes
FEA Results for Pipes
Displacement in all six degree of freedoms
at any node
Reaction forces and moments at any node
Various stress results (bending stress, axial
stress, shear stress, von-mises stress,
principle stress…) for all elements
Physical properties of the model (volume,
mass, moment of inertia…) based on the
model geometry
Interpreting FEA results
The underline theory for the BEAM model
is the same as we use in hand
calculations.
The same limitation of BEAM theory
applies both in FEA and hand
calculations.
Anything weren’t included in this BEAM
model from the beginning are not in the
results (diverter, Y pipe..)
