Linearizing Stress Results (Pressure Vessel Studies)

Stress linearization separates bending and membrane stresses between two locations in a sectional plot of pressure vessel study.

The results can be used in accordance with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) International Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. The functionality is used for solid meshes only. For shells, you can plot and list membrane and bending stresses separately.

  1. Create a pressure vessel study and combine the results of static studies with the desired factors.
  2. Run the pressure vessel study and define a planar sectional stress plot. You can plot any stress component. Stress linearization uses stress results available for all components regardless of the plotted quantity.
  3. Right-click the stress plot and select Linearize.
  4. In the PropertyManager under Locations , click two locations on the section. The selected locations define a local Cartesian coordinate system.
    The positive X axis goes from the first location to the second location. The Z axis is normal to the cutting plane with the positive direction pointing towards the removed material. The Y axis completes a right-handed coordinate system.
    • The line connecting the two locations must fully lie on the material. It may not pass through holes or areas where results do not exist.
    • For cylindrical vessels, the X axis is similar to the radial direction if the axis of the vessel lies on the cutting plane and the line connecting the two locations is perpendicular to the axis.
    • For spherical vessels, the X axis is similar to the radial direction if the center of the vessel lies on the cutting plane and the line connecting the two locations points to the center.
  5. Set Number of intermediate points to define the resolution of the graph along the line. The software interpolates stress results on the section to find stress results at intermediate points.
  6. Click Calculate.
    A summary of the linearized stress results at the two locations only appears in the list box. You can view the full range of results, including intermediate points, using Report Options described below.
    The stress results are reported in the Global Coordinate System.
  7. Under Report Options, you can click:
    • Save As Sensor to save the locations as sensors.
    • Save to save the results to an Excel or plain text file.
    • Plot to graph the results.
    • Save the data and show in Report .