The Power User's Guide to COMPRESS
Perform FEA on Nozzles

Vol. 2, Issue 1 | January 2010
 
Greetings!  
 
Welding Research Council Bulletins WRC-107 and WRC-297 are widely used by Engineers to investigate piping (and other) loads on nozzles within COMPRESS. However, what should you do if you have geometries that the WRC Bulletins do not cover such as "large" nozzles on formed heads or nozzles on flat covers?

COMPRESS overcomes the WRC Bulletins' limitations by including a finite element analysis (FEA) tool for nozzles. By using the FEA tool within COMPRESS you are able to:   
  • Produce a U-2(g) compliant design by analysis nozzle calculation
  • Investigate external forces and moments, such as those arising from piping or agitators
  • Calculate fatigue life due to cyclic mechanical and thermal loads
  • Produce 3D stress visualizations to pinpoint the governing stress location
Is the ability to perform FEA on nozzles a standard COMPRESS feature? How does it work?
FEA on a flat head in COMPRESS
Yes, this feature is included in each Standard COMPRESS License.
  1. After you've defined the loads, click the FEA button on the tool bar or Ctrl + right-click on the nozzle itself to begin the analysis.

  2. Review your results and, if necessary, modify your design.

  3. Once complete, the FEA output is automatically included in your COMPRESS report, making results easily available for third party review.

More About FEA
FEA mesh for a flat head in COMPRESS
The FEA capability within COMPRESS was developed by PRG, the leading FEA experts for vessels and piping. This analysis of combined cyclic pressure, thermal and mechanical loads is based on the design by analysis rules of ASME Section VIII, Division 2.
 
 
 
 
If you don't have software that performs finite element analysis, it's time to explore the benefits of COMPRESS. Find out more by emailing [email protected], calling (941) 927-2670 or downloading your free trial today. 
 
Sincerely,
 
The Codeware Team  
 
 
 
The Power User's Guide to COMPRESS shows you how to save time and optimize your pressure vessel and heat exchanger designs. Suggest a topic for a future issue by emailing [email protected]. View past issues from www.codeware.com/power-user.html.