Pipe Support Constraints

[dsengine]

I'm analyzing a pipe using FEMAP and I've been having some problems how best to constrain the model. The pipe is mounted on simple supports at 7.5m spacings. I've used shell (plate) elements to model half the cross section of the pipe to take into account bending and half the section between the supports (i.e. 3.75m length from the support to the midpoint).

Symmetry boundary conditions have been applied to the relevant edges and I'm happy with these. But how should I constrain the model at the supported end? I've tried applying a y-displacement (vertical) constraint on node(s) at the supported edge but this obviously leads to a singularity. Can this safely be ignored? Also, the pipe continues after the support but how should this be treated?

Fairly new to FE any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[chris9]

I think using beam elements would be a better way of doing this type of analysis. You could model a greater length of pipe and constrain at 7.5m intervals. The rigidity of the supports will determine how you apply the nodal constraints.

Chris

http://www.value-design-consulting.co.uk