V3.2 Release Notes |
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V3.2 Release Notes |
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Wood PLC is proud to announce the release of PipeLay Version 3.2. This latest version incorporates a variety of exciting new features and improvements that will offer substantial benefits to our PipeLay user base. Note that since the original release of Version 3.2 a new maintenance update has been issued, which provides further enhancements as listed in the bottom section of this article.
The development scope for Version 3.2 was established through active client consultation and feedback. We believe this active approach ensures that our PipeLay product continually evolves to meet the needs of the industry.
Many of the additions in Version 3.2 provide increased productivity for users in terms of improved usability, enhanced modelling, reduced run times, improved robustness and additional integrated post-processing. Such productivity gains deliver significant add valued in today’s oil and gas market.
The main feature highlights of the latest version are summarised as follows:
▪Radii of curvature and support elevation optimisation can be applied to hinged and articulated stingers
▪Optimum net buoyancy calculation to achieve desired orientations for articulated stinger sections
▪New Jonswap and Torsethaugen random sea wave specifications
▪Alternative calculation of water absorption for external coatings that only affects submerged sections
▪Option to account for the pipeline contact diameter on seabed rather than just having centreline contact
▪Ability to export/import a project file to/from either XML or text based files for external scripting of inputs
▪Command line option for running analyses without opening project files – Allows for external batch files
▪Direct vessel movement parameters on analyses without the need for dedicated offset components
▪Automatic free rotation angles for non-linear flex joints allowing for the quick specification of rotation stops
▪Option to specify stinger flex joint curves relative to the horizontal rather than to initial orientations
▪Upgraded examples/templates set to give greater realism and to reflect modelling best practice
▪Criteria tension can be used instead of a direct expected tension input on stress-strain materials
▪Ability to specify joint lengths and field joint cut backs in the calculation of average pipe section weights
▪Loads can be applied to internal line connections even when the connections are not used in models
▪Accumulated length column on the line stack-up showing the net build-up of pipeline length
▪Remove all button on analysis component tabs and disable preview option on installations stages tab
•Additional Integrated Post-processing
▪Excel© Add-In to directly access and post-process analysis databases without using PipeLay
▪Statistical and snapshot plots of support reactions and separations
▪API-RP-1111 buckling code checks
▪Selectable format for tabular output; either stress or strain based
▪Excel based summary report file
▪Select all components option available on post-processing and code checking dialogs
▪Velocities and accelerations can be included in the dynamic analysis databases for custom plots
▪Reported bending stresses/moments for sections with coating stiffness are now only for the steel wall
▪Progress summary for generation of dynamic tabular output files
▪Multi pass criteria analysis ensuring optimisation is done on an incremental and stable basis
▪Option to use a stable linear axial stiffness when specifying non-linear stress strain material curves
▪Improved code efficiency leading to general improvements in analysis run time (10%-15%)
▪Dedicated 64-bit version of PipeLay leading to considerable reductions in post-processing times (20%-25%)
The main highlights of the newest update are summarised as follows. More detailed descriptions are provided in a separate article.
•Improved Analysis Run Times - Optimised software code for checking support contact during dynamic analysis leading to corresponding run time improvements of up to 40%-50%
•Integration with New WebHelp Resource - The new WebHelp content can be accessed via the Help function in PipeLay. The content provides a fully integrated documentation set that will replace the old User, Reference, Examples and Best Practice manuals
•General Post-processing Enhancements - Which includes:
oExpanded static solution summary in Tabular Output provides additional useful results
oIdentification of Governing Sagbend Node, Touchdown Point and Overbend-Sagbend Transition in Tabular Output
oResults tab remembers previously selected stage number after navigating away
•Fault Fixes - 5 minor and 1 trivial fault fixes