10 reasons to use pipe class software vs spreadsheets

Using spreadsheets for engineering calculations is very common. A spreadsheet allows you to carry out the calculations in a very visual way and you get the results quickly, effortless and free. 

However, using spreadsheets for code calculations has many disadvantages. Here is a list of some of them:

1. Engineering codes are tedious and, sometimes, a bit intricate and entangled to decipher. They make reference to several tables, appendices, figures and equations which force you to go back and forth in the code. 
2. Engineering codes undergo revisions every couple of years. Not only have you to review the equations, but also the material tables (dozens of pages).
3. Engineering codes have exceptions to the rules. For example, some materials cannot work outside certain temperature range. 
4. You have to evaluate the wall thickness for a set of pressure-temperature values as indicated by the pressure-temperature flange rating and use the worst case. This implies getting the P/T values from another code (e.g. ASME B16.5).
5. The code tells you the required wall thickness. However, the maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) calculation is rarely present in the codes. You have to carry out a back-calculation of this pressure by inverting the equations. Normally, this procedure is very tricky and implies iteration, which cannot be done easily with a spreadsheet. Knowing the MAWP is very useful because it lets you calculate the design margin; i.e. how close/far (dangerous/safe) you are from the maximum pressure.
6. Pipe class software gives you peace of mind: all the components of a pipe class have been tested against the applicable code.
7. Notified bodies (e.g. Bureau Veritas, Lloyds) accept the calculation reports of some pipe class software as proof of code compliance. This can save you many engineering hours.
8. Using pipe class software across the company gives some standardization. 
9. If you change one single parameter (e.g. temperature, pressure, flange rating, code, pipe material, etc), you have to look up all the table values again. 
10. With pipe class software, you can easily duplicate a project and build another project on top of it.

Join a free, 2-hour hands-on workshop on pipe class calculation in Madrid on 24th January 2020 (Friday evening) by filling this form.

A time-limited PCC license will be given away to each participant. The number of seats is very limited so book your place now!