Modules → Shell & Head Design

Shell & Head Design

This is the documentation page for the Shell & Head Design module. You'll find here everything you need to understand how to use our application.

1. Types

This application support the following types of pressure vessel shell and head:

Shell

  • Cylindrical

Head

  • Ellipsoidal
  • Torispherical
  • Hemispherical
  • Conical
  • Flat
  • Toriconical

2. Drawing

module-tab
Fig. 2.1. - Drawing

The drawings for the head and shell types are generate dynamically and updated every time the USER change a dimension. After the button Run is clicked, the Results page will be shown and the drawing can no longer be changed (unless the user click in the Back button).

3. Units

For now (version 1.0.0), only International Unit System[ 2 ] or just SI Units is accepted, but we're working to implement the Imperial Unit System[ 3 ] in the following versions, as it's still used by many countries (specially USA) and companies.

The Table below show the relationship between International and Imperial unit system which will be used by our application in the future and can be used by the USER to do the conversion.

Unit
International
Imperial
Conversion (SI → Imperial)
Temperature°C°F((°C × 9/5) + 32) / 32
PressureMPaPSiMPA * 145
Lengthmminmm * 25.4
Densitykg/cm^3lb/in^3kg/cm^2 * 36.127
Volumem^3ft^3m^3 * 35.315
Weightkglbkg * 2.205
ForceNlbfN * 4.448
Areamm^2in^2mm^2 * 645.2
MomentN.mmlbf.inN.mm * 0.00885

4. Fields

Below is a list of all the available fields in the Module.

4.1. Module

The module tab have two versions: one for a new part (see Fig. 4.1.1) and one for an existing part (see Fig. 4.1.2). The difference is that when a part is saved, an unique identifier (ID) will be generated for it and it can be linked to other parts and equipment. The ID is shown above the Module tab (see Fig. 4.1.3) and there's a button to Project Management module beside it.

module-tab
Fig. 4.1.1. - Module Tab for a new Part
module-tab
Fig. 4.1.2. - Module Tab for an existing Part
module-tab
Fig. 4.1.3. - Unique Identifier (ID) for existing part
Variable
Name
Unit
Type
Required
Description
<none>Description<none>InputYesShort description of the part. For example: if designing a Bolted Flange to be connected at the upper part of the vessel, you can simply call if Upper Flange, if there's other flanges in there, you can be even more specific, calling if Upper Left Flange or Upper Gas Flange. Just remember that you'll use the description to identify the part (you can also use its id, but it's usually difficult to remember)
<none>Decimal Places<none>SelectYesNumber of decimal places to be used in the calculations and results. User can choose between 1 to 4 decimal places (also known as precision).
<none>System of Units<none>SelectYesUnit system that will define the units used in all the variables in the calculation. The most known types are Imperial System and International System. Unfortunately we still don't support changing units and the International System will be used as a default.

4.2. Process

module-tab
Fig. 4.2.1. - Process Tab
Variable
Name
Unit
Type
Required
Description
<none>Fluid<none>SelectNoFluid name, it's optional as it will not be used in any calculation. See Note (3).
ToOperating Internal Temperature°C, °FFieldNoInternal temperature of the vessel when the equipment is in service. See ASME BPVC Section VIII Division 1 Nonmandatory Appendix C for suggested methods to obtain the operating temperature of vessel walls in service and also UG-20 for more information.
PoOperating Internal PressureMPa, PSiFieldNoInternal pressure of the vessel when it's in service. Will not be used in any calculation.
TdDesign Internal Temperature°C, °FFieldYesMaximum expected internal temperature in the vessel in normal operation. See UG-20 for more information.
PdDesign Internal PressureMPa, PSiFieldYesMaximum expected internal pressure in the vessel in normal operation. See UG-21 for more information.
ToeOperating External Temperature°C, °FFieldNoExternal temperature of the vessel when the equipment is in service.
PoeOperating External PressureMPa, PSiFieldNoExterna pressure of the vessel when it's in service. Will not be used in any calculation.
TdeDesign External Temperature°C, °FFieldYesMaximum expected external temperature in the vessel in normal operation.
PdeDesign External PressureMPa, PSiFieldYesMaximum expected external pressure in the vessel in normal operation.

4.3. Dimensions

4.3.1. Conical Head

module-tab
Fig. 4.3.1.1. - Dimensions Tab, Conical Head
conical-head-doc Fig. 4.3.1. - Conical Head Dimensions
Variable
Name
Unit
Type
Required
Description
<none>Type<none>SelectYesxxx
DInside Diametermm, inFieldYesxxx
hHalf Apex Angle°FieldYesxxx
slSection Lengthmm, inFieldYesxxx
tPlate Thicknessmm, inFieldYesxxx
caCorrosion Allowancemm, inFieldYesxxx
EJoint Efficiency<none>FieldYesxxx

4.3.2. Cylindrical Shell

module-tab
Fig. 2.1. - Drawing
cylindrical-shell-doc Fig. 4.3.2. - Cylindrical Shell Dimensions
Variable
Name
Unit
Type
Required
Description
<none>Type<none>SelectYesxxx
DInside Diametermm, inFieldYesxxx
hHalf Apex Angle°FieldYesxxx
slSection Lengthmm, inFieldYesxxx
tPlate Thicknessmm, inFieldYesxxx
caCorrosion Allowancemm, inFieldYesxxx
EJoint Efficiency<none>FieldYesxxx

4.3.3. Ellipsoidal Head

4.3.4. Flat Head

4.3.5. Hemispherical Head

4.3.6. Torispherical Head

Torispherical Head Dimensions
Fig. 4.3.6.2. - Torispherical Head Dimensions
Dimensions Tab, Torispherical Head
Fig. 4.3.6.1. - Dimensions Tab, Torispherical Head
Variable
Name
Unit
Type
Required
Description
<none>Type<none>SelectYesxxx
DInside Diametermm, inFieldYesxxx
LInside Crown Radiusmm, inFieldYesxxx
rInside Knuckle Radiusmm, inFieldYesxxx
sStraight Flange Lengthmm, inFieldYesxxx
tPlate Thicknessmm, inFieldYesxxx
caCorrosion Allowancemm, inFieldYesxxx
EJoint Efficiency<none>FieldYesxxx

4.4. Material

module-tab
Fig. 2.1. - Drawing
Variable
Name
Unit
Type
Required
Description
<none>Is the Material Normalized?<none>CheckboxNoxxx
<none>Use your own values?<none>CheckboxNoxxx
<none>Material Name<none>SelectYesxxx
SuTensile Strength at Design TemperatureMPa, psiFieldYesxxx
SyYield Strength at Design TemperatureMPa, psiFieldYesxxx
EmdElastic Modulus at Design TemperatureGPa, kpsiFieldYesxxx
SAllowable Stress at Design TemperatureMPa, psiFieldYesxxx
SaAllowable Stress at Ambient TemperatureMPa, psiFieldYesxxx
mdMaterial Densitykg/m^3, lbf/in^3FieldYesxxx
<none>Group Number<none>FieldYesxxx
<none>P-Number<none>FieldYesxxx
<none>P-Number Thicknessmm, inFieldYesxxx
<none>External Pressure Chart<none>FieldYesxxx
<none>UCS-66 Curve<none>FieldYesxxx

4.5. Settings

module-tab
Fig. 2.1. - Drawing
Variable
Name
Unit
Type
Required
Description
mdmtMinimum Design Metal Temperature°C, °FFieldYesIt's the the lowest temperature at which the material can safely withstand the applied stresses without experiencing brittle fracture. For now, the User must define the MDMT by it's own using the latest version of ASME BPVC Section VIII Division 1 (see UG-20(b)) but we're planing to create a tool to aid the User to define it.
<none>What Test specification should be used?<none>CheckboxNoUser can choose between 3 types of test that the Part will be subjected: Hydrostatic Test according to UG-99(b), Hydrostatic Test according to UG-99(c) and Pneumatic Test according to UG-100. For now User must check latest version of ASME BPVC Section VIII Division 1 for the description about each test. We'll later create a Documentation dedicated to this topic.
<none>Disable sharing of this Part?<none>CheckboxNoIf checked, other Users will not be able to add this Part to their Equipment. Part owner can still add it to his own Equipment.
<none>Include Operating Hydrostatic Pressure?<none>CheckboxNoIf checked, the hydrostatic pressure (caused by fluid column) will be taken in account in the calculations (will be added to operating pressure)
<none>Include Test Hydrostatic Pressure?<none>CheckboxNoIf checked, the hydrostatic pressure (caused by test fluid column) will be taken in account in the calculations (will be added to test pressure)

5. Messages

The Module will show messages in the results pages when needed.

5.1. Warnings

5.2. Info

6. Sharing

The sharing option is something that we thought would be useful because engineers works as a team and usually share their projects with another engineers or customers, either to review or for approval.

Nowadays working side by side (physically) with other engineers is becoming something from the past. Hybrid and Remote position are becoming common in many companies. So no more printing the project and let in the co-work table to be checked. You either send the PDF (or software file) by e-mail or save it in the company drive.

Our approach is a little bit better. We let the USER choose which USERs can access the project, equipment and part and what kind of permission they will have. You can let some USERs change anything in a Part or let they only see it (input and output).

To share a project, equipment or part you must be its owner. You can be the owner by either creating the project, equipment or part or if the current owner delegates it to you. Also the option Disable sharing of this Part? in the Settings tab must be set to No (see Fig. 4.5.1.), in case of Part and if it's a Project or Equipment, the sharing button in the PJM module must be set to enable (see more about it in the Project Management documentation).

Currently there are two types of sharing status:

  1. Full Access: this type of access let the USER make changes to the Project, Equipment and Part but can't delete it (only its owner can do that)
  2. View Access: USER with this type of access can't make changes, can only see the input and output data.

7. Limitations

The version 1.0.0 comes with some limitations which are listed below:

  • This version can't be used to calculate the following situations:
    1. Shell under External Pressure (UG-28);
    2. Stiffening Rings (UG-29);
    3. Head with Pressure on Convex Side (UG-33);
    4. Spherical Shell (UG-27(d));
    5. Negative temperatures.

8. Equations

The equations shown in the Results page come mainly from ASME BPVC Section VIII as this Module focus in such standard code. The only equations that didn't come from the Code is the volume and weight, which we used some math and trigonometry to find out.

List of equations that we didn't find in the Code and is used in the Module:

9. Results

9.1. Quick Table

The Quick Table (see Fig. 9.1.1.) shows the most important information from the results. It also shows if there's some error in the calculation (it'll be shown in red).

In the future version we'll let the User select which information want to see in it.

module-tab
Fig. 9.1.1. - Quick Table

9.2. Input

The Input tab (see Fig. 9.2.1.) in the results page shows all the information from the input page. It can be used to check all the data inserted by the User and by our system. The input will also be shown in the Calculation Report (DOCX).

module-tab
Fig. 9.2.1. - Input List

9.3. Output

module-tab
Fig. 9.3.1. - Output List

9.4. Bottom Menu

At the bottom of the page you'll find three buttons (see Fig. 9.4.1.):

  • Back: will bring the USER back to the Input page
  • Save: will save the Part and the USER will be able to access it using the direct link shown in the browser or through the Project Management module
  • Report: will generate and download the Calculation Report
module-tab
Fig. 9.4.1. - Output buttons

9.5. Summary

To help USER easily check the equations and input data we created a summary which is show at the right side of the page (see Fig. 9.5.1.). It's composed by hyperlinks and if clicked the part where the item is located will be show. The list is divided in Input and Output to facilitate the identification.

module-tab
Fig. 9.5.1. - Output buttons

10. Testing

If you access the Shell & Head Design module without being logged, you'll see a warning message as shown in the Fig. 10.1. stating that you're entering into a testing environment, which basically means that you'll not be able to use it in a real case, as some features are disabled and the data range that can be use is limited.

testing-environment-001
Fig. 10.1. - Testing Environment Warning

If you need to use the it beyond its testing limitation, contact us through Contact page and we'll see what can we do for you. We could, for example, give you a 1 day free trial or a guided testing with us.

10.1. Limitations

There are two types of limitation in the Testing Environment: features disabled and data range restriction.

10.1.1. Features Disabled

Feature
Limitation
System of UnitsFor now (version 1.0.0) the System of Units is disabled for every case, not only for testing environment. We're still checking the real need to make Imperial Units available.
FluidOnly the fluid ASTM — Ref Motor Fuel C (50% Aromatic) are available for testing. Before you ask, we choose it at random. As the fluid isn't required by the calculation, we believe that disabling its selection won't affect the User experience.
TypeTwo types are available for testing: Cylindrical Shell and Torispherical Head. We've choose it because it's the most used types.
Material NameOnly the material SA-512 A are available for testing now but we're evaluating the possibility to let the User choose between 3 materials, to test the Search Material feature.
What Test specification should be used?Only the Hydrostatic Test (UG-99(b)) is available for testing. As it's quite simple calculation, it shouldn't affect the User experience while testing the Module.
Disable sharing of this Part?Sharing didn't affect the calculation and isn't shown in the Calculation Report, so disabling it should't affect User experience.
Include Operating Hydrostatic Pressure?Hydrostatic pressure can sometimes be neglected in the calculations because it's usually very small, so disabling it shouldn't affect User experience. If you want to calculate it by yourself, just check this article Hydrostatic Pressure on Head and Shell.
Include Test Hydrostatic Pressure?Same as the option Include Operating Hydrostatic Pressure? but in this case we're using he test pressure, which are higher than the operating pressure but, even so, it's value continues to be very small.

10.1.2. Data Range Restriction

Variable
Description
Limitation
<none>Decimal Places1 to 3
ToOperating Internal Temperature0 to 120°C
PoOperating Internal Pressure0.5 to 2.0 MPa
TdDesign Internal Temperature0 to 120°C
PdDesign Internal Pressure0.5 to 2.0 MPa
ToeOperating External Temperature0 to 120°C
PoeOperating External Pressure0.5 to 2.0 MPa
TdeDesign External Temperature0 to 120°C
PdeDesign External Pressure0.5 to 2.0 MPa
<none>TypeCylindrical Shell or Torispherical Head
DInside Diameter1 to 600 mm
slShell Length1 to 1200 mm
tPlate Thickness1 to 12 mm
caCorrosion Allowance0 to 5 mm
EJoint Efficiency0.45 to 1.00
LInside Crown Radius1 to 600 mm
rInside Knuckle Radius1 to 150 mm
sStraight Flange Length0 to 30 mm
mdmtMinimum Design Metal Temperature0 to 60°C

10.2. Access Protection

The public API used in the testing environment is different from the API used in the production environment. So, even if someone tries to direct access the API with values outside the data range, the API will return an error.

11. Linking Parts

The calculation modules that we've in the ΣCalc or, more specifically, in the MarsCalc package, works independently from each other. It means that, if you are designing a spherical head to be attached in a conical shell, one part will not "know" about the other. The only exception are the modules that require the USER to load data from other modules. It's the case for Opening Reinforcement Design (ORD) and Saddle Support Design (SSD).

To let the USER specify which parts are connected, we created the reference list. Let say, for example, that you have a torispherical head connected to a cylindrical shell. If you go to the Equipment tab in the Project Management module you'll see that the equipment have many parts, including the head and shell specified above but, you can't know how they are connected. If you add the cylindrical shell as a reference to the torispherical head, you'll know that it's connected.

The problem now is: what if the cylindrical shell have two heads, how can you know which one is in the top and which is in the bottom? Unfortunately we don't have a way to specify that, we're planning to let USER to assembly the pressure vessel just like PVElite does (using 2D drawings and nodes to connect the parts) but it isn't our top priority (it is listed in the Pool of Ideas with the ID # 9FF565B5)

Okay, lets go to the how to part. To add a part as a reference, first make sure that both parts are saved (exist and have and ID), then click in the Add part as a Reference (see Fig. 4.1.2) button. A modal (see Fig. 11.1) will be shown with the list of all parts created by the USER. If there are too many parts and you already know the ID of the part that you which to add, just type it in the search field to filter the list. To finish, just click in the part that you want to add and the modal will close and it'll appear in the Parts Linked to this Part table in the Module tab.

module-tab
Fig. 11.1. - Reference Modal

One important thing that you must understand: linked parts have no effect in the calculation. It serves only as a reference. So if you add a stainless steel part to a carbon steel, the application won't show any warning.

12. Calculation Report

Calculation report can be generated and downloaded by clicking on the Report button located in the bottom menu, which is only visible in the results page. The file name will be the part ID.

Fig. 12.1. shows the information contained in the first page of the report. Company name and logo can be set in the Dashboard. All the other information are automatically generated.

conical-head-doc Fig. 12.1. - Calculation Report second page

The second page will show the part description (information given by the USER in the Module tab), part id (automatically generated), drawing (same as shown in the input page), input and output (equations).

conical-head-doc Fig. 12.2. - Calculation Report first page

Changelog (doc)

If you want to receive an e-mail notification every time an article or documentation is updated, just sign up and click in the Notify Me button at the bottom of the page (only visible for logged USERs).

References