Applies To
	Product(s):	AutoPIPE
	Version(s):	All
	Area:	Library
	Original Author:	Bentley Technical Support Group

Dec 2014, AutoPIPE V8i 09.06.01.10

Problem:

How to add a new material to existing library, AutoPIPE V8i v.9.0 and higher?

Solution:

+++Warning+++

Please read the entire page before actually performing the steps!

Remember, being a custom library file, Bentley cannot be held responsible for the inaccuracy of the new library content. It is your responsibility to verify the following information:

a. Verification of data in the SRC file
b. Verification of data in the Press / Temp. dialog
c. Verification of relevant data in the Pipe Properties or any dialog referenced by the updated library

Procedure:

Review the steps outlined below to add a new material that is not included in a default library, enabling the creation of a user-defined / custom material library.

Step 1: Identify material data needed, folder location for the new material

Step 2: Modify an existing AutoPIPE library *SRC file to add the new material data.

Step 3: Compile the SRC file into a LIB file

Step 4: Copy the new LIB file into specific location to be used by AutoPIPE

Step 5: Start / Restart AutoPIPE, try to use the new material selection

Step 6: Again, being a custom library file, Bentley cannot be held responsible for the inaccuracy of the new library content. It is your responsibility to verify the the program is retrieving the information correctly.

Detailed steps:

Step 1: Identify material data needed, folder location for the new material

Data Needed:

With a model opened in AutoPIPE, open the General> Model Options> dialog

• • • • • Confirm the correct piping code / year combination are selected which will use the newly added material
        • Confirm "Units file name - Input: / Output" are set to "English".
        • Record the default "Material" library selection

Next, select the Tools > Library Editor command> select File> Open> (locate the default material library mentioned above), select Open button. In the top left corner of the screen set, Table = (select drop down and choose the 1st option), when the screen refreshes, take a screen shot. Repeat this process for each of the table options. This represents the data and units of values needed for adding the new material. 

Note: All AutoPIPE material libraries are in English units and are converted to other units using the Units file conversion factor.

Folder Location: 

Start AutoPIPE

Go to Tools> Settings> Preferences> record the Program Data Path (ex. C:\ProgramData\Bentley\AutoPIPE 2024\)

Step 2: Modify an existing AutoPIPE library *SRC file to add the new material data.

Note: make a copy of the default library, rename the default library (max 8 characters), and make all modifications to this file. 

• • • • • Start AutoPIPE> select Tools> Library editor> open the newly renamed *.SRC file to be modified.
        • Select the correct Table
        • Select the + sign to add a new item or select an existing option from the drop down menu in the middle.
        • Update the Grids as needed
        • Repeat steps as necessary 

Step 3: Compile the SRC file into a LIB file

Open library editor, select Tools> Build Library file, follow on screen instructions. 

Step 4: Copy the new LIB file into specific location to be used by AutoPIPE

After compiling a new material library into a *.LIB file, move a copy of this file into the folder recorded on step 1 above. This is how the new custom library will be read by AutoPIPE.

Step 5: Start / Restart AutoPIPE, try to use the new material selection

Step 6: Again, being a custom library file, Bentley cannot be held responsible for the inaccuracy of the new library content. It is your responsibility to verify the the program is retrieving the information correctly.

Notes: 

a. Open the *.SRC in an editor application, notice that these files have material data organized into separate tables. Typically most of the material modifications will be made in one or both of these tables:

MATLS - this table contains generic descriptions of materials (for example CS = low carbon steel) and their general properties such as expansion rate, poisson's ratio, density, hot modulus, etc..

SPECS - this table contains materials by specification (for example A106-B) along with allowable stresses vs temperature values, Yield strength, Ultimate strength, etc.. Each material listed in this table is linked to a material on the MATLS table. 

Examples:

i. Open B313-20.SRC, locate A106-B in the SPEC table, find CS, thus A106-B is linked to CS material information in the MATL table. 

ii. Open B313-20.SRC, location A312-TP304L in the SPEC table, find AU-TYPE 304, thus A312-TP304L is linked to AU-TYPE 304 material information in the MATL table. 

b. SRC files location: AutoPIPE V8i v9.1 and higher already have SRC files copied to the following hard drive folders during installation:

i. C:\ProgramData\Bentley\AutoPIPE xxx\Libraries.... (all modifications should be performed using files from this folder) 

ii. C:\Bentley\AutoPIPE xxx\ Libraries\.... (Do not modify these SRC files and save to this folder, only copy and use as a reference)

iii. C:\ Program Files (x86) \ Bentley \ AutoPIPE xxx\ Libraries

iv. Please file a new case if a specific SRC file for AutoPIPE is not available in one of the locations above. The case should; a. mention this WIKI, b. include 8 digit version number of AutoPIPE (Help> About), and c. which piping code the material is to be added too.

 

Option #1: Use AutoPIPE's Library editor

AutoPIPE 12.05 and higher has a new tool called Library editor. Use this tool when adding / modifying a material library file.

Learn to use the Library editor with 30 min on demand video here.

 

Option #2: Use Any Editor

Download the following file, "Add new material to AutoPIPE 9.0 and higher.zip" The file contains multiple documents, select the document based on the piping code where the new material library will be used. These documents contain complete instructions on how to add a new material using any text editor.

***Attention***  - IMPORTANT Notes:

1. When adding new materials to the AutoPIPE SRC files, the Material or Spec names can only use Alpha, numeric, and "-" characters(example: Steel-1). If any other characters (i.e. ., _, *, /) are used, AutoPIPE will compile the library but will not display it in the program.

2. A good approach is to always copy an original file and rename it; example My_B313.lib (file-name must be 8 characters or less).

Example: 

B311-86.SRC          (Good filename - No spaces, No non-asci characters are used, 8 charters or less - this file would be compiled and used by the program.)

B311-86/ -Copy.SRC    (Bad filename - filename >8 charters, Space in filename, NON-ASCI character used - program will not compile this file, may crash or display warning)

By renaming the library file it is being flagging as a customized file. It is also a benefit to have separate library files when re-installing or upgrading to a higher version of AutoPIPE - in some cases the existing / default files will be overwritten - by keeping separate files they can be copied back into a new / revised installation.

3. All Values entered into most of the material files must use English units. AutoPIPE makes the conversion to metric units based on the units file. There are a few material files that only support data in metric units. Keep an eye on the units for the given material library. 

4. Add one material at a time; verify the compiled library in AutoPIPE before adding more entries. Another words, get the format and process down before mass producing.

5. Trouble shooting notes for SRC files - click here

 

 

Compiling an SRC file into an AutoPIPE Lib file:

Details of this procedure can be found in the document referenced above. 

Note: 

1. Compile files in any folder that contains the AutoPIPE build.exe application, however AutoPIPE will never be able to select it unless the files have been moved / copied into the folder mentioned below or model's folder. If the files are copied to the installation folder reset user profile as mentioned here. 

2. User must have Read and Write permission to the folder where the files are compiled and stored.  

3. Again, keep a copy of the SRC and LIB file in a safe location for future, when reinstalling or upgrading.

Download movie here

See Also

Trouble shooting - Creating / Modifying an AutoPIPE Material Library

Libraries - AutoPIPE

Bentley AutoPIPE

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