Features

  • Graphical input of piping systems and piping components
  • Illustrative visualization of piping systems and piping components in RFEM graphic window
  • Comprehensive libraries for piping cross‑sections and materials
  • Comprehensive libraries for flanges, reducers, tees, and expansion joints
  • Consideration of piping structure (insulation, lining, tin‑plate)
  • Automatic calculation of stress intensification factors and flexibility factors
  • Specific piping action categories for load cases
  • Optional automatic combinatorics of load cases
  • Consideration of material properties (modulus of elasticity, coefficient of thermal expansion) either during operating temperature (default setting) or during reference (assembly) temperature of material
  • Consideration of strain and uplift due to pressure (Bourdon effect)
  • Interaction between the supporting structure and the piping system

Working with RF-PIPING

After activating the RF‑PIPING add‑on module, a new toolbar is available in RFEM and the project navigator and tables are extended. The piping system is now modeled in the same way as the members. Pipe bends are defined simultaneously by tangents (straight pipe sections) and radius. Thus, it is easy to subsequently change bend parameters.

It is also possible to extend the piping subsequently by defining special components (expansion joints, valves, and others). The implemented libraries of structural components facilitate the definition.

Continuous pipe sections are defined as sets of piping systems.
For piping loads, member loads are assigned to the respective load cases. The combination of loads is included in piping load combinations and result combinations.
After the calculation, you can display deformations, member internal forces, and support forces graphically or in tables.

Pipe stress analysis according to standards can then be performed in the RF‑PIPING Design add‑on module. You only need to select the relevant sets of piping systems and load situations.