| Applies To | |||
| Product(s): | AutoPIPE, | ||
| Version(s): | 2004, XM, & V8i | ||
| Environment: | N/A | ||
| Area: | error | ||
| Original Author: | Bentley Technical Support Group |
Problem:
What is the node limit in AutoPIPE or the following appears:
E801-135: Number of analysis nodes exceeds maximum limit of 10000 nodes
Solution:
AutoPIPE has always had a limit of 10,000 node points per model. The application has been known to crash and analysis results are not trustworthy in models above this limit. The CAE development team has add the following enhancement:
CAE-CR-8795: Block analysis if number of analysis points is greater than 10000
System should block the analysis if total number of points (piping points+ soil points + frame nodes) is greater than 10,000. Program should also issue a warning to the user to reduce total number of points before proceeding with analysis.
Avoidance: Reduce total number of points to less than 10,000.
You can view the total number of pipe points in a model, Tools> Model input listing> only check "Extended Component" sub report, press OK button, near the very bottom of the report is "Number of points in the system:".
Note:
The total number of points in a model is not a one-to-one relationship with the model points. At tees, bends, and supports, for example, AutoPIPE generates results on each side of the point, i.e. accounts for 2 pipe points. Therefore if the total number of points (piping points + soil points + frame node points) is greater than 10,000. Program should issue a warning to the user to reduce total number of points before proceeding with analysis.
Question:
How to find and reduce the number of node points?
Answer:
If your method only counts the physical piping nodes, then it will undercount the actual analysis points because multiple instances where non-physical node points are created in an AutoPIPE model (ex. bends, soil, etc..)
There are two tools help with locating the total number of node points in a model:
#1: Points Summary report
As mentioned above, one of the best tools for understanding the node points distribution in a model is the "Points Summary" report. This will help you understand the type of node point accounting for the majority of the node point count.
As can be seen in the image above, soil points are usually the major contributor that most users overlook. These soil points can be viewed in AutoPIPE by using the Soil Points (Show > Labels > Soil Points) command. In addition,
#2: Coordinate Summary report
Another tool is Coordinate Summary report. This report will list all the Bend points with mass points and soil points occurring between 2 node points (see report, last 2 column to the right, Mass Points & Spoil points.
Use this information to help to understand the total node points in a model.
Suggestions to lower the number of total node points in a model:
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- Use AutoPIPE's Soil Discretization (Analysis > Auto Soil Discretization > Soil Discretization) command.
- Remove unnecessary intermediate points.
- Eliminat redundant supports or restraint locations, consider using AutoPIPE's Support Optimization workflow.
- Simplify dynamic models (change Edit Model Options> Mass points per span> to use smallest value possible for your model)
- Combing pipe segments where possible.
- Split model into 2 or more separate models at rigid anchor node points.
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Other features request have been added to increase the number of internal node points allowed, logged under:
a. Idea -I-72: If you would like to be updated on the status of this added feature of increasing the max node point limit above 10,000 nodes, please add your vote to this IDEA (https://autopipe-brand.ideas.aha.io/ideas/AP-I-72).
b. 639735 - TFS-E114791: CAE-CR-6288: Increase allowable number of internal data points (10,000 to 100,000) in AutoPIPE
c. CAE-CR-2347,nodenames > 4 characters
The issues will appear in a future version of the application. If you are interested in knowing which version & when, please log a service ticket referencing the TFS or CAE number above.