Learn about PASS/START-PROF pipe stress analysis software
PASS/NOZZLE-FEM is available free to PASS/START-PROF users.
The integration module enables finite element analysis with shell elements to calculate stress intensification factors (SIF), flexibility factors (k-factors), allowable nozzle loads, and stresses in critical components. This approach overcomes code limitations and provides more accurate, less conservative results, reducing material costs.
Install PASS/NOZZLE-FEM on the same machine as PASS/START-PROF. The integration uses the PASS/START-PROF license dongle and operates automatically.
Standard code equations (ASME B31, ASME B31J, EN 13480) have these limitations:
ASME B31 and ASME B31J limitations
The PASS/START-PROF and PASS/NOZZLE-FEM integration overcomes these limitations, enabling SIF and k-factor calculations for non-standard configurations like 45-degree lateral tees, trunnions, and components with D/t > 100.
WRC 297 and WRC 537 documents for nozzle stiffness and stress calculations have these limitations:
WRC 297/537 apply only to:
WRC 297/537 are not applicable to:
The integration overcomes all these limitations, handling non-radial nozzles, protruding nozzles, reinforced connections, rectangular plates, conical shells, flat heads, and storage tank nozzles.
Current PASS/START-PROF and PASS/NOZZLE-FEM integration capabilities:
Enable the integration by selecting "Use FEM for SIF and k-factors" in Project Settings.
Elbow, tee, and trunnion dialog boxes display a SIF button and "Refresh SIF and k using FEA" option. Click Calc to perform immediate FEA calculation for the selected element.
When "Refresh SIF and k using FEA" is disabled, SIF, k-factors, and allowable nozzle loads require manual recalculation via the "Calc" button.
When enabled, the software checks for input data changes during analysis and prompts for recalculation:
Force recalculation of all SIF and k-factors via Analysis > Run FEM SIF and k-factor analysis
Identical components are automatically grouped to optimize calculation time. Multi-core processing handles bends, tees, nozzles, and trunnions simultaneously. For example, a model with 16 tees, one bend, and 18 nozzles would calculate only 3 unique tees, one bend, and 3 unique nozzles.
For nozzle and tank nozzle elements, select "by FEM" for flexibility and allowable load calculations.
Click "..." to modify nozzle properties in the PASS/NOZZLE-FEM interface.
Changes in PASS/NOZZLE-FEM automatically update PASS/START-PROF and save to the .ctp file. Click "Run FEM" to analyze from the nozzle dialog.
When "by FEM" is selected, PASS/NOZZLE-FEM performs stress analysis after piping analysis, checking nozzle stresses against ASME VIII Div. 1, ASME VIII Div. 2, EN 13445-3, JB 4732, GOST 34233.1, and PNAE G-7-002-86. Results appear in the Loads on Nozzles and Equipment table.
PASS/START-PROF creates a project folder containing PASS/NOZZLE-FEM project files and HTML reports for each component. Set the folder location in general settings under "path to files".
To run PASS/NOZZLE-FEM using the PASS/START-PROF license, start PASS/START-PROF first, then access via menu:
