FEA Software Suggestions

Are you currently using any 3d CAD software?

there are a bunch of FEA supplimental programs that tie-in firectly with major 3d CAD programs. This is will save you the time to remodel/import components in other FEA selections. "The attempt and not the deed confounds us."

Hi Focused,
i think, you will model your e.g pipe supports with beam elements and the vessel with shell ones. So i am sure, that all kind of commercial structural FEA software can solve your problem, as long as you must not compute the "fluid dynamik effect" in the vessel and pipes. But be carreful if you connect beam and shell in an analysis, there are several discussion about this in this forum. Btw, ANSYS has special pipes elements to better analyze such pipe structure.

regards

Focused,

I do the same stuff as you. Assuming you've calculated the external loads and are just applying them to the shell. Then,if that is all you're looking to do then I strongly suggest you get your company to buy FE-Pipe or Pro-Nozzle. Pro-Nozzle now includes quick FEA of irregular shaped clips onto shell/heads.