VALVE

VALVE, NLOC, LENG, MASS, SIF, FLEX, ARINS, ELEM
Defines a valve in a piping run.

PREP7:Piping

NLOC: Node where valve is to be placed (as described below). Defaults to current run starting point.
LENG: Length of valve (defaults to larger pipe OD).
MASS: Dry mass (weight/gravity) of valve without insulation (defaults to equivalent straight pipe mass). Note, acceleration (ACEL) must be nonzero for weight to be calculated.
SIF: Stress intensification factor (defaults to 1.0).
FLEX: Bending flexibility factor (defaults to 0.5).
ARINS: Insulation surface area (defaults to equivalent straight pipe insulation area). Units (length²) must be consistent with the smallest unit of the system used (not mixed) regardless of the PUNIT option.
ELEM: Element number to be assigned to valve (defaults to the previous maximum element number (MAXEL) + 1).

Notes

Defines a valve (straight-pipe element PIPE16 with adjusted specifications and loadings) at a given location in a piping run. (See the RUN command description in Part II: Archived Commands.) The location may be 1) between two adjacent colinear straight pipes, 2) between an adjacent straight pipe and a different piping component, or 3) at the end of a straight pipe.

For Case 1, two new nodes are generated at the ends of the valve. The two straight pipes are automatically "shortened" to meet the ends of the valve. The valve specifications and loadings are taken from the corresponding two straight pipes.

For Case 2, one new node is generated at one end of the valve. The straight pipe is automatically "shortened" to meet this end of the valve. The other end of the valve meets the other piping component. The valve specifications and loadings are taken from the straight pipe.

For Case 3, one new node is generated at the free end of the valve. The other end of the valve meets the straight pipe. The valve specifications and loadings are taken from the straight pipe.