NEXT GENERATION PLANT DESIGN AND ENGINEERING

CSiPlant is an integrated engineering software product for analysis and design of piping systems and frame structures, including piping code compliance checks with stress-intensification and flexibility factors that are automatically calculated and applied.

Overview 1

CSiPlant offers advanced analysis technology to piping and structural engineers working in the process, power, pipeline and offshore industries.

CSiPlant Video Embed

Overview 2

CSiPlant uses elements, pipe support types, and modeling approaches familiar to piping and structural engineers in the process and power industries.

Drawing Capabilities and Pipe Supports

Drawing Capabilities

Piping and structural frame models can be rapidly created and modified using CAD-like drafting tools which snap to objects, grid intersections and global axes. In addition, CSiPlant offers automatic alphanumeric labeling of node points and elements, intuitive Insert and Assign commands, and keyboard shortcuts, enabling engineers to utilize a variety of modeling options to quickly build, modify, and review their analysis models.


Pipe Supports

Pipe supports include Anchors, Guides, Line Stops, Vertical Stops, Rod Hangers, Snubbers, and Spring Hangers.

Link Elements

CSiPlant offers multiple “link” element types to connect different points such that specialized structural behavior may be modeled. Linear and nonlinear properties can be assigned to each of the six degrees-of-freedom to define force-deformation relationships.

Nonlinear Load Sequencing

CSiPlant offers unlimited nonlinear load sequencing, also known as path-dependent loading, which considers the order of the loading. Since friction acts in different directions during startup vs. shutdown and other load states, sequenced loading, including sequenced thermal loading and unloading, is often needed to determine worst case reactions and stresses.

Buckling and P-Delta

Buckling Analysis

Buckling can be a design concern in a number of different piping applications including jacketed piping analysis, bowing due to thermal gradient, GRP and plastic piping, rack piping with intermediate anchors, and tall vertical risers among other design scenarios. Using both eigen buckling and nonlinear large displacement buckling analysis options, CSiPlant makes it convenient for engineers to check for buckling during design.


P-Delta Analysis

P-Delta analysis, also known as second-order geometric nonlinearity, involves the equilibrium and compatibility relationships of a structural system loaded about its deflected configuration. It also accounts for real world changes to element stiffness due to axial loads. P-Delta analysis has been a design requirement in most structural design codes for many years.

Nonlinear Time History Analysis

Nonlinear time history dynamic analysis using either FNA (modal Fast Nonlinear Analysis) or Direct Integration methods can be applied to any load type, including accelerations, point loads, imposed displacements, and thermal loads. Piping stress models routinely include nonlinear friction, gaps, and/or multilinear springs for a more realistic analysis. Using nonlinear time history analysis enables engineers to consider nonlinear boundary conditions and geometric nonlinearity in both static and dynamic analysis load cases.

Comprehensive Integration and SAP2000 Interoperability

Comprehensive Integration

CSiPlant allows for integration between piping stress and structural analysis programs. Import detailed SAP2000 structural analysis models into CSiPlant and auto-connect to the piping stress model for coupled nonlinear analysis and design. Import geometry from CII neutral file.


SAP2000 Interoperability

The model import from SAP2000 to CSiPlant is comprehensive and includes load assignments, frame sections and local axes, releases, grids, supports, mass definitions for static seismic and dynamic analysis cases, and other assignments and definitions. Reactions at pipe support locations from the coupled analysis in CSiPlant can be exported back into SAP2000 selectively with options to filter by pipe section and load case.

Reactions from SAP2000 can then be exported into SAFE automatically for concrete foundation design to integrate foundation analysis and design with analysis of the structure and piping.