AnsweredAssumed Answered

routing project - choose piping support locations

Question asked by Mahmoud Abdelaziz on Jan 18, 2017
Latest reply on Feb 21, 2017 by Anna Beutlich

Like • Show 0 Likes0
Comment • 5

hi everyone, I am a beginner in solidworks routing, I need to 3d model a fire fighting piping system (I have got the 2d schematic with dimensions), and after that I need to choose the correct support positions to minimize vibration effect resulting from pumps operation, any idea where to start? and where to get the suitable tutorials for this particular project?

also I need to be working with pipes and fittings with 16" and 18" diameter, and all I can find in solidworks library is up to 14" only, any idea where to get the bigger sizes pipes and fittings library components from?

Peter De Vlieger Jan 19, 2017 7:26 AM

Correct Answer

It sounds to me that it's not so much a piping problem but a problem concerning stress and specifically damping vibration.

In which case you be better of posing the question to people that are well versed in the simulation side of things or in calculating and preventing stress loads etc.

I for one can't help you with that.

I wish you good luck in finding the necessary aid.

Peter

See the reply in context

No one else had this question

Outcomes

Peter De Vlieger Jan 19, 2017 2:57 AM

Mahmoud,

How much background do you have in Piping? The reason I ask is because if you had sufficient prior experience as a piping drafter/designer you would know that there are several factors that will influence how and where to support, none of which you state.

E.g.: material of the pipes, schedule of the pipes, diameter of the pipes, prevention of water hammer, distance between pipe and supporting surface, to name just a few.

Now piping isn't something that you learn on an afternoon watching some Youtube videos. Especially not if it's to model something as vital as a fire fighting system and even less so when you start putting down 18" sized pipes.

To find the bigger sizes of pipes and fittings you can always look at the usual suspects (e.g. 3dContentCentral and such) but I would think it's easier to add the necessary dimensions to the designtables of those that you already have but aren't in a sufficient large enough size.

Actions

Mahmoud Abdelaziz @ Peter De Vlieger on Jan 19, 2017 7:15 AM

My background is not so big, i am a rotating equipment engineer, but this is a task i was given and i have to do it one way or another, the piping is already built, i have all the 2D drawings including all dimensions, material, schedule, etc..

The problem was that when they started the pumps, the pipes had too much vibration exceeding their design limits, therefore our boss decided the supports were not designed correctly and had to be modified and their locations changed, i know it's not an easy thing to do, i just want to know where to start from, and whether this can be done in solidworks alone or do i need to use other simulation software?

Actions

Peter De Vlieger @ Mahmoud Abdelaziz on Jan 19, 2017 7:26 AM

It sounds to me that it's not so much a piping problem but a problem concerning stress and specifically damping vibration.

In which case you be better of posing the question to people that are well versed in the simulation side of things or in calculating and preventing stress loads etc.

I for one can't help you with that.

I wish you good luck in finding the necessary aid.

Peter

Actions

Mahmoud Abdelaziz @ Peter De Vlieger on Jan 19, 2017 8:27 AM

Indeed, thanks so much Peter

Actions

Anna Beutlich @ Mahmoud Abdelaziz on Feb 21, 2017 11:40 AM

Mohamoud,

It sounds like you have been asked to perform a stress analysis of a piping system. In particular a vibration analysis (very advanced). For reference, I have worked for many years as a Piping Stress Analysis Engineer.

Piping stress analysis are highly dependant on the codes that the piping was designed to. Without thorough knowledge of that code, no meaningful numbers can be acquired. It is not just a case of creating the geometry and pushing a button. There are engineering firms that offer stress analysis services. This would likely be more cost effective than getting trained in piping stress analysis.

Also, I would not recommend Solidworks as the best option to perform a piping stress analysis (not knocking Solidworks, just use the right tool for the job). I primarily used Intergraph Caesar II by Coade , though there are other options out there. Intergraph offers very good training on stress analysis and the use of their product.

This level of training is not availible for free on the internet. Best of luck with your Boss.

Actions

5 Replies

Peter De Vlieger Jan 19, 2017 2:57 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Mahmoud,

How much background do you have in Piping? The reason I ask is because if you had sufficient prior experience as a piping drafter/designer you would know that there are several factors that will influence how and where to support, none of which you state.
E.g.: material of the pipes, schedule of the pipes, diameter of the pipes, prevention of water hammer, distance between pipe and supporting surface, to name just a few.

Now piping isn't something that you learn on an afternoon watching some Youtube videos. Especially not if it's to model something as vital as a fire fighting system and even less so when you start putting down 18" sized pipes.

To find the bigger sizes of pipes and fittings you can always look at the usual suspects (e.g. 3dContentCentral and such) but I would think it's easier to add the necessary dimensions to the designtables of those that you already have but aren't in a sufficient large enough size.
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
- Mahmoud Abdelaziz @ Peter De Vlieger on Jan 19, 2017 7:15 AM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  My background is not so big, i am a rotating equipment engineer, but this is a task i was given and i have to do it one way or another, the piping is already built, i have all the 2D drawings including all dimensions, material, schedule, etc..
  The problem was that when they started the pumps, the pipes had too much vibration exceeding their design limits, therefore our boss decided the supports were not designed correctly and had to be modified and their locations changed, i know it's not an easy thing to do, i just want to know where to start from, and whether this can be done in solidworks alone or do i need to use other simulation software?
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
  Actions
  - Peter De Vlieger @ Mahmoud Abdelaziz on Jan 19, 2017 7:26 AM
    Unmark Correct
    Correct Answer
    It sounds to me that it's not so much a piping problem but a problem concerning stress and specifically damping vibration.
    In which case you be better of posing the question to people that are well versed in the simulation side of things or in calculating and preventing stress loads etc.
    
    I for one can't help you with that.
    I wish you good luck in finding the necessary aid.
    Peter
    Like • Show 0 Likes0
    Actions
    - Mahmoud Abdelaziz @ Peter De Vlieger on Jan 19, 2017 8:27 AM
      Mark Correct
      Correct Answer
      Indeed, thanks so much Peter
      Like • Show 0 Likes0
      Actions
  - Anna Beutlich @ Mahmoud Abdelaziz on Feb 21, 2017 11:40 AM
    Mark Correct
    Correct Answer
    Mohamoud,
    It sounds like you have been asked to perform a stress analysis of a piping system. In particular a vibration analysis (very advanced). For reference, I have worked for many years as a Piping Stress Analysis Engineer.
    
    Piping stress analysis are highly dependant on the codes that the piping was designed to. Without thorough knowledge of that code, no meaningful numbers can be acquired. It is not just a case of creating the geometry and pushing a button. There are engineering firms that offer stress analysis services. This would likely be more cost effective than getting trained in piping stress analysis.
    
    Also, I would not recommend Solidworks as the best option to perform a piping stress analysis (not knocking Solidworks, just use the right tool for the job). I primarily used Intergraph Caesar II by Coade , though there are other options out there. Intergraph offers very good training on stress analysis and the use of their product.
    
    This level of training is not availible for free on the internet. Best of luck with your Boss.
    Like • Show 0 Likes0
    Actions

routing project - choose piping support locations

Outcomes

Related Content

Recommended Content