If you're responsible for the results, you need to assure yourself in some way that those results are reliable. Read the guarantees furnished by the software vendor and see how much liability they are willing to pick up for their product.
On occasion, I see people using software as a substitute for knowledge and understanding, which can be a dangerous thing.
Verification of your software before you use it is required according to your QC system and this must be documented for the AI. Ideally your software should be checked thoroughly every time you receive an update but most people do a few simple calc's such as heads and shell just to say they've been done. You can check your software by doing some manual calculations or comparing them against another program. A good idea is to use the examples in Appendix L and Part UHX as a comparison.
By the way, I've used Codecalc, PVElite, Compress and APV among others and I have found errors or ommissions in all of them.
I have verified every build of compress with calculations using mathcad. basically I calculate mostly used elements like shells, heads, tubesheets.
It's a bit annoying since compress is well verified (and documented as well) by codeware in my opinion. I use older (and sometimes buggy) software until latest build is verified.
It's true that designers should be familiar with calculation programs and verification of program surely helps in that, but in my opinion software verification should be only software verification but nothing else.
Yes, you should provide the hand calculations. Not all are necessary. This is just a verification showing that the software is right. Two or Three calculations are enough and it should be signed by the Engineer and he will be the responsible person.
Tomtation (Mechanical)
A better idea is to use the CD: ASME International ASME Boiler & Vessel Pressure Code ZCD699 for comparison. Also, examples in Appendix L and Part UHX as a comparison.
