
	Applies To

	Product(s):	AutoPIPE
	Version(s):	ALL
	Environment:	N/A
	Area:	Modeling
	Original Author:	Bentley Technical Support Group
	Date Logged & Current Version	Jan 2015 09.06.01.10

Problem:

How to model a support for a valve actuator in AutoPIPE?

(Photo from: Samson)

Solution:

On the Valve dialog screen enable check-box for Actuator Symbol (#1), actuator weight (#2), and centroid location of the actuator (#3), as seen below:

Typically a valve is made up of 3 node points: Start Point (A02), Mid point (A02M), and End point (A03). However when an actuator Symbol is enabled, a 4th node point is added, Actuator node point (A02D).

AutoPIPE has 9 different types of supports. After selecting the actuator node point (A02D), 7 of the 9 supports can be connected directly to the actuator:

Constant, Spring, V-stop, Incline, Rotational, Damper, and Tie/link (other end must be connected to another node point).

The other 2 support types (Guide and Incline) cannot be connected directly to a actuator. However, they can be created by combining multiple supports that can be added to an actuator. Example: a guide can be created by modeling 2 incline supports at the same Actuator node point but each bearing spring is set for a different axis direction. Same goes for a Line stop, mode as a single Incline on the correct axis and spring stiffness.

In addition to supports, beam elements can be connected to an actuator. Therefore, almost any type of support can be modeled with one or multiple support / beam elements.

11. How to model a support for a valve actuator in AutoPIPE?

Problem:

Solution:

See Also