PipeLay
New PipeLay Features
Our Commitment to You during COVID-19
V2020.1 Release Notes
V2020.1 Release Notes - Hydrodynamic Data Importer
V2020.1 Release Notes - AWS AppStream
V3.5 Release Notes
V3.5 Release Highlights - Improved Licensing
V3.5 Release Highlights - 64-bit User Interface
V3.5 Release Highlights - Enhanced Analysis Component
V3.4 Release Notes
V3.4 Release Highlights - Enhanced Analysis Component
V3.4 Release Highlights - Improved Postprocessing
V3.4 Release Highlights - Additional Scripting Options & Examples
V3.4 Release Highlights - General User Interface Improvements
V3.3 Release Notes
V3.3 Highlights - Enhanced Modelling Features
V3.3 Highlights - New Post-processing Outputs
V3.3 Highlights - General User Interface Enhancements
V3.2 Release Notes
V3.2 Highlights - Enhanced Modelling
V3.2 Highlights - Improved Usability
V3.2 Highlights - Additional Integrated Post-processing
V3.2 Highlights - Increased Robustness
V3.2 Highlights - Reduced Analysis Run Times
V3.2.2 Highlights
Installation & Running Instructions
Installation - Before You Begin
Installation - Installing & Running
Installation - Troubleshooting Your Installation
Installation - Installing Excel Add-In
Licensing Options
Network Licencing
Network Licensing - Installation
Network Licensing - Client
Network Licence Manager
NetHASP Monitor
Sentinel Hasp Admin Control Center
Licensing as a Service
PipeLay in the Cloud
Setting-up the Cloud Platform
Using the Cloud Platform
Security and Reliability
Software Introduction
PipeLay Software
PipeLay Starter Edition
Additional Analysis Options
Basic Concepts
GUI Basics
GUI - Overview
GUI - Creating & Managing Components
GUI - Home Tab
GUI - Insert Tab
GUI - Input Dialogs
GUI - Fast Navigation
GUI - Import/Export Functionality
GUI - Import/Export - Syntax
GUI - Import/Export - Automation
GUI - Import/Export - Python
Software Components & Operation
Project Component
Project Component - Units, General & Constants
Project Component - Quality Control
Project Data Inputs
Defining a Line
Line Subcomponents
Material
Material Data Inputs
Material Best Practice
Pipe Section
Pipe Section - Properties Tab
Pipe Section - Attachments Tab
Pipe Section - SIFs Tab
Pipe Section Data Inputs
Pipe Section Best Practice
Cable
Cable Data Inputs
Cable Best Practice
Flex Joint
Flex Joint Data Inputs
Flex Joint Best Practice
Tapered Stress Joint
Tapered Joint Data Inputs
Tapered Stress Joint Best Practice
Structure
Structure - Attachments
Structure Data Inputs
Structure Best Practice
Ancillary
Ancillary Data Inputs
Ancillary Best Practice
Connection
Connection Data Inputs
Connection Best Practice
Spring
Spring Data Inputs
Spring Best Practice
Line Component
Line - Stack Up
Line - Pipe In Pipe
Line - Pipe On Pipe
Line Data Inputs
Line Best Practice
Defining a Vessel
Vessel Subcomponents
Support
Supports - Rollerbox
Supports - O-Shaped
Supports - Zero Gap Guide
Support Locations & Vertical Reactions
Support Data Inputs
Support Best Practice
Tensioner
Tensioner Data Inputs
Tensioner Best Practice
Stinger Section
Stinger Section - Rigid
Stinger Section - Flexible/Flexible Hydro
Stinger Section Data Inputs
Stinger Section Best Practice
Stinger
Stinger - Rigid S-Lay
Stinger - Articulated S-Lay
J-Lay Tower
Stinger Data Inputs
Stinger Best Practice
Vessel
Vessel - Profile Options & Reference Point
Vessel - Stinger, Supports & Motions
Vessel Data Inputs
Vessel Best Practice
Model Setup
Seabed Component
Seabed - Rigid Surface
Seabed - Elastic Surface
Seabed Data Inputs
Seabed Best Practice
Additional Subcomponents
Internal Fluid
Internal Fluid Data Inputs
Internal Fluid Best Practice
Buoy
Buoy Data Inputs
Buoy Best Practice
Sheave
Sheave Data Inputs
Sheave Best Practice
Model Component
Model - Layout & Viewing Model
Model - Specifying Seabed, Water Depth & Vessels
Model - Defining Connection Points
Model - Adding a Line
Model - Adding Additional Components
Model - Specifying Advanced Options
Model - Exporting Support Data
Model Data Inputs
Model Best Practice
Environment, Motion & Loading
Environment Components
Wave
Wave - Regular
Wave - Random Sea
Wave - Random Sea Spectra
Wave Data Inputs
Wave Best Practice
Current
Current Data Inputs
Current Best Practice
Motion Components
Vessel Offset
Vessel Offset Data Inputs
Vessel Offset Best Practice
Vessel Motion
Vessel Motion Data Inputs
Vessel Motion Best Practice
RAO Conversion
RAO Conversion Data Inputs
RAO Conversion Best Practice
Loading Components
Load
Load Data Inputs
Load Best Practice
Axis System
Axis System Data Inputs
Analysis & Postprocessing
Analysis Component
Properties Tab
Properties Tab Best Practice
Installation Stages Tab
Installation Stages Tab - Upper Section
Installation Stages Tab - Middle Section
Installation Stages Tab Best Practice
Parameters Tab
Parameter Tab - Parameters
Parameters Tab Best Practice
Criteria Tab
Criteria Tab - Installation Criteria
Criteria Tab - Iterate On
Criteria Tab Best Practice
Fatigue Tab
Fatigue - Normal Lay - User Inputs
Fatigue - Normal Lay - Operation
Fatigue - Normal Lay - Outputs
Fatigue - Staged Operations - User Inputs
Fatigue - Staged Operations - Operation
Fatigue - Staged Operations - Outputs
Fatigue - Hybrid Staged Operations - User Inputs
Fatigue - Hybrid Staged Operations - Operation & Outputs
Fatigue Tab Best Practice
Summary Postprocessing Tab
Summary Posprocessing - Types
Summary Postprocessing Best Practice
Code Checking Tab
Code Checking - DNV Postprocessing
Code Checking - API Postprocessing
Code Checking Best Practice
Tabular Report Tab
Progress Tab
Progress Tab Best Practice
Results Tab
Results Tab - Analysis Results
Results Tab - Stage Results
Results Tab Best Practice
Sample Analysis Specification: Normal Lay
Sample Analysis Specification: Abandonment
Analysis Data Inputs
Running Analyses
Batch Analysis Component
Batch Analysis Data Inputs
Command Line Options
Automated Postprocessing
Automated Postprocessing - Tabular Output
Tabular Output - Static Solution Summary(Part 1)
Tabular Output - Static Solution Summary(Part 2)
Tabular Output - Main Output Section
Automated Postprocessing - Analysis Report
Postprocessing Subcomponents
Custom Postprocessing
Custom Postprocessing Data Inputs
Custom Postprocessing Best Practice
S-N Curve
S-N Curve Data Inputs
S-N Curve Best Practice
Additional Modules
Viewer
Plotting Module
Plotting Module - Selecting Plot Files
Plotting Module - Menus & Toolbar
Plotting Module - Graph Settings
Plotting Module - Page Settings
Plotting Module - Copying & Printing
Plotting Module - Automating Postprocessing
Dynamic Display Module
Dynamic Display - DirectX Features
Dynamic Display - Operation & Navigation
Dynamic Display - Menu Bar Reference
Dynamic Display - Toolbar Reference
Dynamic Display - Generating AVIs
RAO Checking Module
Technical Notes
Technical Note 1 - Stress Computations
Von Mises Stress Calculation
Technical Note 2 - Strain Computations
Technical Note 3 - Static Analysis Procedure
Technical Note 4 - Axis Systems & Conventions
Global Axis System
Vessel Axis System
Technical Note 5 - Contact Modelling Options
Contact Modelling Strategy
Optimum Contact Stiffness
Simple & Standard Contact Modelling
Pivoting/Non-Pivoting Bed & Roller Contact Modelling
Technical Note 6 - Dean's Stream Function
Technical Note 7 - Calculation of Moment/Curvature Curves for Pipe Elements with a Stress/Strain Material Specification
Calculation with a Tension Input
Calculation with External Coatings and Tension
Calculation without Slippage
Calculation of Slippage in the Outermost Coating
Postprocessing of Bending Moments & Stresses in the Steel Layer
Technical Note 8 - Calculation of Support Fine Tune Offsets
User Interface Calculation
Analysis Engine Calculation
Example PipeLay Models
Worked Example
Building the Model
Specifying Project Information
Adding Pipeline Sub-Components
Creating a Pipe Section
Creating a Cable
Modelling a Pullhead
Assembling the Pipeline Stack-Up
Defining the Stinger
Defining a Rollerbox
Creating a Stinger
Defining the Vessel
Defining a Tensioner
Creating a Vessel
Defining a Vessel Offset
Creating the Model
Defining a Seabed
Adding a Model
Specification of Seabed and Water Depth
Adding a Vessel
Defining Connection Points
Adding a Line
Running the Installation Stages
Creating Installation Stages
Selecting the Model Component & Contact Modelling Option
Creating Stages
Specifying Parameters
Specifying Installation Criteria
Generating Subsequent Stages
Validating Stages
Requesting Summary Postprocessing
Running the Analysis
Viewing the Results
Results Directory
Accessing Results
Animation File
Tabular Output File
Analysis Report File
Summary Report File
Detailed Output File
Plot Files
Examination of Results
Example 01 - Normal S-Lay
Introduction & Example Files
Components
Model Component
Analysis Component
Results
Results - Initial Static Analysis
Results - Regular Wave Analysis
Results - Random Sea Analysis
Example 02 - Normal J-Lay
Introduction & Example Files
Components
Model Component
Analysis Component
Results
Results - Initial Static Analysis
Results - Regular Wave Analysis
Results - Random Sea Analysis
Results - Fatigue Analysis
Example 03 - Abandoment
Introduction & Example Files
Components
Model Component
Analysis Component
Results
Example 04 - Recovery
Introduction & Example Files
Components
Model Component
Analysis Component
Results
Example 05 - Structure Installation
Introduction & Example Files
Components
Model Component
Analysis Component
Results
Example 06 - Start-up via Stab & Hinged
Introduction & Example Files
Components
Model Component
Analysis Component
Results
Example 07 - Start-up via Sheave
Introduction & Example Files
Components
Model Component
Analysis Component
Results
Example 08 - As-Laid Span
Introduction & Example Files
Components
Model Component
Analysis Component
Results
Example 09 - SCR Transfer
Introduction & Example Files
Components
Model Component
Analysis Component
Results
Example 10 - Articulated S-Lay
Introduction & Example Files
Components
Model Component
Analysis Component
Results
Results - Initial Static Analysis
Results - Regular Wave Analysis
Example 11 - Davit Lift
Introduction & Example Files
Components
Model Component
Analysis Component
Results
Example 12 - DMA Start-up
Introduction & Example Files
Components
Model Component
Analysis Component
Results
Example 13 - Pipe-in-Pipe
Introduction & Example Files
Components
Model Component
Analysis Component
Results
Results - Initial Static Analysis
Results - Dynamic Analysis
Example 14 - SCR Initiation
Introduction & Example Files
Components
Model Component
Analysis Component
Results
Example 15 - Shallow Water Rigid S-Lay
Introduction & Example Files
Components
Model Component
Analysis Component
Results
Results - Initial Static Analysis
Results - Regular Wave Analysis
Results - Random Sea Analysis
Results - Fatigue Analysis & DNV Postprocessing
Example 16 - Reel Lay
Introduction & Example Files
Components
Model Component
Analysis Component
Results
Animations & Tutorials
Animations
Tutorial - Walkthrough of Example Application
Model Component Tutorial
Excel Add-In
Table of Contents
Function Reference
General Functions
PLErrorToText
PLGetAnalysisTitle
PLGetAccelerationDueToGravity
PLGetBoundaryConditionCount
PLGetContactSurfaceCount
PLGetModifiedDate
PLGetParameterName
PLGetPIPConnectionCount
PLGetValue
PLGetWaterDensity
PLGetWaterDepth
PLGetZeroGapGuideCount
PLIsStaticAnalysis
PLIsValidDatabase
PLIsValidDatabaseAsText
PLUpdateHeaderIfChanged
Element Functions
PLGetElementArea
PLGetElementAxialForceFlag
PLGetElementAxialStiffness
PLGetElementCount
PLGetElementEndNode
PLGetElementIndexFromUserElement
PLGetElementInnerDiameter
PLGetElementInternalFluidDensity
PLGetElementInternalFluidHeight
PLGetElementInternalFluidPressure
PLGetElementIyy
PLGetElementIzz
PLGetElementLength
PLGetElementOuterDiameter
PLGetElementPoissonsRatio
PLGetElementStartNode
PLGetElementThickness
PLGetElementType
PLGetUserElementNumber
Node Functions
PLGetNodeCount
PLGetNodeIndexFromUserNode
PLGetUserNodeNumber
Time Functions
PLGetDatabaseTimeStep
PLGetNumSolutionTimes
PLGetTime
PLGetTimeIndex
Label Functions
PLGetLabel
PLGetLabelCount
PLGetLabelNodeElementNo
PLGetLabelType
PLGetLabelTypeForLabel
Set Functions
PLGetElementDistanceAlongSet
PLGetElementSetCount
PLGetElementSetName
PLGetSetElement
PLGetSetElementCount
PLGetNodeDistanceAlongSet
PLGetNodeSetCount
PLGetNodeSetName
PLGetNodeSetNode
PLGetNodeSetNodeCount
Kinematic Functions
PLGetAcceleration
PLGetPosition
PLGetVelocity
Force Functions
PLGetAxialForce
PLGetContactSurfaceReaction
PLGetEffectiveTension
PLGetLocalAxialStrain
PLGetLocalAxialStrainFromForceOnly
PLGetLocalShearYForce
PLGetLocalShearZForce
PLGetLocalYBendingMoment
PLGetLocalYCurvature
PLGetLocalZBendingMoment
PLGetLocalZCurvature
PLGetPipeInPipeReaction
PLGetReactions
PLGetTorque
PLGetZeroGapGuideReaction
Guide Functions
PLGetGuideCount
PLGetGuideIndex
PLGetGuideName
PLGetGuideSurfaceCount
PLGetGuideType
PLGetSupportReaction
PLGetSupportReactionByIndex
PLGetSupportSeparations
PLGetSupportSeparationsByIndex
Calculation Functions
PLGetAxialStress
PLGetBendingRadius
PLGetBendingStrain
PLGetBendingStress
PLGetHoopStrain
PLGetHoopStress
PLGetHorizontalAngle
PLGetResultantBendingMoment
PLGetResultantCurvature
PLGetResultantShearForce
PLGetShearStress
PLGetVerticalAngle
PLGetVonMisesStrain
PLGetVonMisesStress
PLGetVonMisesStressAPI2RD
Statistics Functions
PLGetEnvelopeData
PLGetMaximumValue
PLGetMeanValue
PLGetMedian
PLGetMinimumValue
PLGetMode
PLGetNaiveStandardDeviation
PLGetRangeValue
PLGetStandardDeviation
Reference
Parameters
Error Codes
Technical References
Attributions