Anybody Home?

[GBor]

I've been watching this forum for a couple of weeks, now. In that time, I've seen one question regarding learning Algor. Is anyone else out there?

I've been an Algor user, among other software packages, since the DOS days. The current user interface changes continue to improve the product. I spend time on the phone with Algor developers...anyone have anything that they want to see?

Garland E. Borowski
Borowski Engineering & Analytical Services, Inc.

 

[stanier]

Hi

Pipepak does indeed handle vibration for piping systems.

Algor's Fempro suite also handles vibration but I am unsure which package you would need. The FEA package also has pipe elements but I havent used those.

Many years ago when I worked in the oil & gas industry we had our compressor piping modelled using analugue computers at Southwest Research Institute

 

[stanier]

try this website and its links

http://www.swri.org/4org/d18/mechflu/planteng/machvib/default.htm

 

[jcfoley]

We have several companies doing our pulsation & vibration studies currently. However, we are spending way too much money overall on it.

I have just recently joined this company as the chief engineer and I was curious to see it my FEA experience could be extended to cover this analysis. I guess my previous question could be more accuratly put as "does PipePack handle acoustically induced vibrations?"

Chris

 

[stanier]

Hi I am just getting into the field of vibration of pipe systems using Pipepak. This is what I have gathered from the advanced tutorial.

Pipepak will do the modal analysis of a pipe system to determine the natural frequency. Then you can apply response spectrum analysis, frequency analysis or time history analysis to determine the response whether it be for earthquake, waterhammmer or other external loading or equipment derived vibrations. The analayst if left to determine the primary source of vibration and apply that , along with damping ratios to Pipepak. There are options as to how the software computes the vibrations.

As for acoustic derived vibrations I think that you looking at some form of fluid structure interation. For example if a control valve generated noise because of cavitation. The vibration within the fluid would affect the pipe? You would first need to determine the vibration from the control valve and input that into Pipepak.

Contact Algor directly or may be download one of their tutorials.

Geoff

 

[GBor]

Chris,

For pipe vibrations due to fluid interaction, I think you are looking at a non-linear analysis capability with fluid flow. Unfortunately, you may be looking at one of the most expensive packages that Algor sells, but I do think it will do what you are after.

Multi-physics allows you to run a fluid analysis, take the results from the analysis and use them as input into a non-linear structural analysis. Linear analysis won't account for the fluid wall interaction and you would want the non-linear analysis since it will consider the natural frequency-related vibrations in the stress/displacement calculations.

Geoff knows more about PipePak than I probably ever will (or want to), so I would echo that you may want to contact Algor directly (800-482-5467). Depending on where you are located, you will have a sales & service contact and a technical contact. The sales and service guys are really quite knowledgable for the most part.

Garland

Garland E. Borowski, PE

 

[jcfoley]

Well, all hope is not dashed! This is really the answer that I expected. The acoustic pulsation side is really more appropriately handled with a cfd approach.

I am already in touch with Algor (as well as Cosmos & Pro/M) researching the best tools for us here. The structural items that I need to handle ASAP serve as the conduit to get the right tools in the office. Once that is done, the applications of just the linear portion of any FEA program will do wonders for our bottom line.

Thanks for all the input.

By the way Garland, if you see Ray Lamb anywhere, tell him I said hello!

Chris Foley
Compressor Systems, Inc.

 

[GBor]

I can't believe it's really you! I couldn't imagine that "Chris Foley" would be THE Chris Foley! Call me sometime at 251-661-6205 or 251-232-3723.

I don't see Ray as often as I used to. I left Northrop Grumman Ship Systems (formerly Ingalls Shipbuilding) after 12 years to pursue life as a consultant. I've been on my own for about a year. Amazingly, 2 others from our graduating class have done the same. Charles Busby has a firm of about 40 people and Wes Gerhardt apparently started up with a few not too long ago.

Hope all is well with you.

Garland E. Borowski, PE