PD 5500 - Pressure Area Method for Openings under External Pressure?

[Crompto29]

I design allot of set-in studded pads into vessels. Under internal pressure I use the alternative pressure area method.

However I now have a project with external pressure. Can I use the pressure area method for external pressure? My 3rd party design appraiser says go for it, however PD 5500 3.5.4.6 only specifies the regular method for external pressure and says nothing about the pressure area method.

The regular method is great for flanged branches. However it gets a bit over detailed with redistributing the area into a studded pad. And then carrying out a grouped opening design for two close together studded pads can become a mess. For this reason I regularly use the simpler pressure area method.

PVElite is no help as it doesn't handle studded pads very well.

 

[Raydel]

Hello Crompto29

PV Elite does have provision for a studding outlet. There is a drop down list box where it can be selected.

In PD 5500, the anlysis is base on the greater of the internal or external pressure. It is a different approach from the ASME method.

 

[Crompto29]

Hi Raydel,

If you are going to attempt to sell your software in this forum could you atleast also provide some useful information relating to the threads topic.

As I said, PVElite is 'not very good' at handling Studded pads.

The question is:
For PD 5500, can the alternative pressure area method be used for external pressure?

Thanks,

 

[Raydel]

Hello Crompto29

It would be remiss of me attempt to sell anything on this forum. That would be unethical and would defeat the objectives of the forum. Folk are free to choose the software that best suits them, and that is spirit and essence of any free market system.

I apologise for not addressing your question. Yes, PV Elite does use the pressure area method if called upon to do so (PD 5500) and considers external pressure within the context of my last entry.