Method for converting support hanger computer aided design model into mechanical analysis model

Abstract

The invention provides a method for converting a support hanger computer aided design model into a mechanical analysis model, and the method comprises the steps: 1, building at least one feature identification point for each part in a Smart3D support hanger part library; step 2, carrying out support and hanger modeling in the Smart3D; 3, obtaining local coordinate definitions of the parts of the support hanger according to the feature identification points of each part in the support hanger model; step 4, outputting the acquired local coordinate definition of the support hanger part and the corresponding part structure information from the Smart3D, and storing the local coordinate definition and the corresponding part structure information as a text file; 5, generating a mechanical model of the part according to the text file; and step 6, establishing a connection relationship among the units in the mechanical model, and then obtaining a support hanger model capable of performing mechanical analysis. The invention also discloses a method for converting the support hanger computer aided design model into the mechanical analysis model.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of finite element analysis, and particularly relates to a method for converting a computer-aided design model of a pipe support and hanger into a mechanical analysis model. Background Art

[0002] Pipe supports and hangers have functions such as bearing pipe loads, restricting pipe displacements, and controlling pipe vibrations. Pipe supports and hangers in nuclear power plant process systems are important components to ensure the long-term safe operation of the entire nuclear power plant's pipes and equipment.

[0003] To ensure safety, thousands of pipe supports and hangers with complex structures and diverse functions require mechanical analysis and specification assessment. The analysis and specification assessment processes are laborious and cumbersome.

[0004] Currently, in the field of three-dimensional plant design, integrated software has been widely used, and these software can cover the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the entire life cycle of the plant.

[0005] Please refer to the patent with the authorization announcement number CN111382529B, the publication date of July 7, 2020, and the name of "A Method for Converting a SupportModeler Pipe Support and Hanger Design Model into an Analysis Model", which provides a model conversion method that can convert a SupportModeler pipe support and hanger design model into a readable analysis model. However, the construction methods of the pipe support and hanger modules of SupportModeler and Smart3D are different when modeling pipe supports and hangers. The pipe support and hanger module of SupportModeler is suitable for detailed pipe support and hanger design analysis and needs to be integrated with other software, with a high learning cost. For the initial design of pipe support and hanger models, Smart3D is more suitable, but the original analysis model conversion method is difficult to apply to the pipe support and hanger module in Smart3D.

[0006] Based on this, the inventors of the present application propose a method for converting a computer-aided design model of a pipe support and hanger into a mechanical analysis model in order to solve one or more of the above technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the defect that the original analysis model conversion method in the prior art is difficult to apply to the pipe support and hanger module in a computer-aided design program, and to provide a method for converting a computer-aided design model of a pipe support and hanger into a mechanical analysis model.

[0008] The present invention solves the above technical problems through the following technical solutions:

[0009] The first aspect of the present invention provides a method for converting a computer-aided design model of a support hanger into a mechanical analysis model. The support hanger includes a plurality of support hanger components, including:

[0010] Step 1: In the support hanger component library of the computer-aided design program, establish at least one characteristic identification point for each support hanger component;

[0011] Step 2: In the computer-aided design program, perform support hanger modeling by calling the support hanger part library to obtain a target support hanger model;

[0012] Step 3: Obtain the local coordinate definition of the support hanger component according to the characteristic identification point of each support hanger component in the target support hanger model;

[0013] Step 4: Output and save the obtained local coordinate definition of the support hanger component and the corresponding component structure information from the computer-aided design program as a text file;

[0014] Step 5: Generate a mechanical model of the component according to the text file;

[0015] Step 6: According to the mechanical model of each component, set the connection relationship between each component as the connection relationship between each unit in the target support hanger mechanical model, and output a support hanger model that can perform mechanical analysis.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in Step 1, in the support hanger component library of the computer-aided design program, each component has at least one characteristic point when created, and the characteristic identification point is selected from the characteristic points of the corresponding component.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the local coordinate definition of the support hanger component in Step 3 is: using the local coordinate direction of the characteristic point to define the local coordinate of the component.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the text file in Step 4 includes the structure information of all components of the target support hanger model;

[0019] After obtaining the structure information of all components of the target support hanger model, an extraction step is also performed, including:

[0020] Extract the field information of all components of the support and hanger from the structural information. The field information includes: support and hanger number, whether it is a section steel or steel plate, component number, component type, standard part specification, section steel specification, section steel length, material, component identification point name, component identification point coordinate X, component identification point coordinate Y, component identification point coordinate Z, component identification point local coordinate system - X-axis component on the global coordinate X-axis, component identification point local coordinate system - X-axis component on the global coordinate Y-axis, component identification point local coordinate system - X-axis component on the global coordinate Z-axis, component identification point local coordinate system - Y-axis component on the global coordinate X-axis, component identification point local coordinate system - Y-axis component on the global coordinate Y-axis, component identification point local coordinate system - Y-axis component on the global coordinate Z-axis, component identification point local coordinate system - Z-axis component on the global coordinate X-axis, component identification point local coordinate system - Z-axis component on the global coordinate Y-axis, component identification point local coordinate system - Z-axis component on the global coordinate Z-axis.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in step 4, for the combination of multiple support and hanger models, including the target main support and hanger model and the target sub-support and hanger model, extract the structural information of the support and hanger components included in the target main support and hanger, and the structural information of the support and hanger components included in the target sub-support and hanger from the text file.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in step 5, match the field information extracted from the text file with the parameters of the mechanical model, and then establish a beam model of the component; wherein, the beam model corresponds to the mechanical model.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in step 6, through geometric vector calculation, identify the centerlines of each unit in the mechanical model and the dimensional and positional relationships of the solid, automatically judge whether there is contact between each unit, the contact position and the welding space, and generate the eccentric and rigid units required for finite element analysis, and then connect all the units in the mechanical model into a support and hanger model that can perform mechanical analysis.

[0024] The second aspect of the present invention provides a computer program product, including a computer program, which when executed by a processor implements the steps performed by a computer in the method described above.

[0025] The third aspect of the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium, having a computer program, which when executed by a processor implements the steps performed by a computer in the method described above.

[0026] The fourth aspect of the present invention provides a conversion system, including:

[0027] A memory capable of storing instructions executable by a processor;

[0028] A processor capable of executing the instructions to implement the steps performed by a computer in the method as described above.

[0029] The positive and progressive effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0030] The method for converting the computer-aided design model of the support and hanger of the present invention to a mechanical analysis model establishes at least one feature recognition point for each component in the component library of the support and hanger in the computer-aided design program, and uses the feature recognition point to obtain the local coordinate definition of the support and hanger components. Then, the obtained local coordinate definition of the support and hanger components and the corresponding component structure information are output from the computer-aided design program and saved as a text file. Finally, a mechanical model of the component is generated using the text file, and the connection relationship between each unit in the mechanical model is established to obtain a support and hanger model that can be subjected to mechanical analysis.

[0031] The present invention completes the conversion of the support and hanger model in the computer-aided design program to a mechanical analysis model. The mechanical analysis model is in text format, which is conducive to importing various analysis software and is automatically completed through algorithms, significantly improving the text quality and reducing the time cost and labor cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The above and other features, properties, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments, wherein:

[0033] Figure 1 is a flowchart of the method for converting the computer-aided design model of the support and hanger of the present invention to a mechanical analysis model;

[0034] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the identification points of the support and hanger components of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram for judging the local direction of the profiled steel component;

[0036] Figure 4 is a model diagram formed by the algorithm of the typical structure topology reconstruction technology of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram of the conversion system of an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0038] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments and the accompanying drawings. In the following description, more details are set forth to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention is obviously capable of being implemented in many other ways different from this description. Those skilled in the art can make similar generalizations and deductions according to the actual application situation without departing from the connotation of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should not be limited by the content of this specific embodiment.

[0039] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which this application belongs; the terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application; the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof in the specification and claims of this application and the above accompanying drawings are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0040] Referring to Figure 1 , the present invention provides a method for converting a computer-aided design model of a support hanger to a mechanical analysis model. The support hanger includes a plurality of support hanger components, including:

[0041] S1. In the support hanger component library of the computer-aided design program, at least one feature identification point is established for each support hanger component.

[0042] It can be known that the computer-aided design software can be Smart3D. The following takes Smart3D as an example for elaboration.

[0043] Please refer to Figure 2 , in order to construct the three-dimensional model requirements of the components, some feature points will be created during the process of building the library. The above-mentioned feature identification points can be feature points, or one or more combinations of feature points.

[0044] It can be known that Figure 2 the indicated point of the arrow in

[0045] S2. In the computer-aided design program, the support hanger is modeled by calling the support hanger part library to obtain a target support hanger model.

[0046] S3. Obtain the local coordinate definition of the support hanger component according to the feature identification point of each support hanger component in the target support hanger model.

[0047] Please continue to refer to Figure 2 , generally 8 components are included in the support hanger design, and each component has several feature points. For example, the feature points indicated by the arrows in Figure 2 can be selected, and then the local coordinates of the component are defined by the local coordinates of this point.

[0048] S4. Output the obtained local coordinate definitions of the hanger components and the corresponding component structure information from the computer-aided design program and save them as a text file.

[0049] That is, output and save the obtained local coordinate definitions of the hanger components together with other structure information of the components from Smart3D as a text file. This text file includes the complete structure information of all components of a hanger.

[0050] Then extract the field information from the structure information for the subsequent establishment of the analysis model. Among them, the field information includes: hanger number, whether it is a section steel or steel plate, component number, component type, standard part specification, section steel specification, section steel length, material, component identification point name, component identification point coordinate X, component identification point coordinate Y, component identification point coordinate Z, component identification point local coordinate system - the component of the X-axis in the global coordinate X-axis, component identification point local coordinate system - the component of the X-axis in the global coordinate Y-axis, component identification point local coordinate system - the component of the X-axis in the global coordinate Z-axis, component identification point local coordinate system - the component of the Y-axis in the global coordinate X-axis, component identification point local coordinate system - the component of the Y-axis in the global coordinate Y-axis, component identification point local coordinate system - the component of the Y-axis in the global coordinate Z-axis, component identification point local coordinate system - the component of the Z-axis in the global coordinate X-axis, component identification point local coordinate system - the component of the Z-axis in the global coordinate Y-axis, component identification point local coordinate system - the component of the Z-axis in the global coordinate Z-axis.

[0051] The above field information can be directly output from the Smart3D interface.

[0052] For the combination of multiple hanger models, first list the relevant structure information of the target main hanger in the text file, and then list the relevant structure information of the sub-hangers respectively.

[0053] S5. Generate a mechanical model of the components according to the text file.

[0054] Specifically, read the text file generated in step 4 to generate a mechanical model of the components. When performing strength check, the mechanical model is usually a beam model, and the corresponding relationship between the values of its characteristic parameters and the fields of the text file is as follows in the table. A beam model of the mechanical analysis component can be established through the parameters.

[0055]

[0056]

[0057] Among them, the mechanical model parameters can be: node coordinates, local coordinate system direction, section type, section size, material properties, load conditions and boundary conditions, etc.

[0058] Correspondingly, the field information in the text file can be: the coordinates XYZ of the component identification points, the components of the local coordinate system - X / Y / Z axes on the global coordinate X / Y / Z axes, whether it is a steel section or a steel plate and the type of steel section, the steel section specifications and the length of the steel section, the material, none (defined according to the actual working conditions), none (defined according to the actual working conditions);

[0059] Correspondingly, the node coordinates are used to define the node positions of the beam model; the local coordinate system direction is used to define the local coordinate system direction of the beam model; the cross-section type is used to determine the cross-section type of the beam (such as I-beam, channel steel, rectangular cross-section, etc.); the cross-section dimensions are used to define the cross-section dimensions of the beam (such as height, width, and thickness, etc.); the material properties are used to define the material properties of the beam (such as elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, density, etc.); the load conditions are usually defined according to the actual working conditions, such as gravity, wind load, thermal expansion, etc.; the boundary conditions usually need to be defined according to the actual working conditions, such as fixed end, hinged end, etc.

[0060] The mechanical model is generated as follows:

[0061] First, read the text file. For example, use Python or other programming languages to read the generated text file, parse the field data, and store the data as a suitable structure, such as a list.

[0062] Then, according to the fields of the text file, extract the parameters required for the mechanical model; for example, node coordinates, local coordinate system direction, cross-section type, material properties, etc.

[0063] Subsequently, use finite element analysis tools, such as ANSYS, Abaqus, OpenSees, or PyFEM, etc. to create a beam model and define nodes, elements, cross-section properties, material properties, and boundary conditions.

[0064] S6. According to the mechanical model of each component, set the connection relationship between each component as the connection relationship between the elements in the target support and hanger mechanical model, and output a support and hanger model that can perform mechanical analysis.

[0065] Specifically, it is possible to identify the information of support and hanger steel sections, plates, and standard parts including spatial positioning information. At this time, there is no connection information between the identified components, and the components are disconnected and cannot be analyzed. In addition, there are some specific requirements for the element connection method in mechanical analysis.

[0066] For example Figure 3 As shown, the left figure is a model obtained by only considering the spatial position and not considering the conversion of the local coordinate direction of the components. After reading the local coordinates of the steel section identification points on the left, the direction of the local coordinate system is corresponded to the direction of the overall coordinate system, so that it is concluded that the steel section needs to be rotated by 90°, ensuring the accurate positioning of the component corner direction.

[0067] Therefore, through geometric vector calculation, the present invention identifies the center line of the unit, the dimensions of the solid, and the positional relationship, automatically determines whether the units are in contact, the contact position, and the welding space, and generates the eccentric and rigid units required for finite element analysis, connecting all the units in the model into a model that can perform mechanical calculations.

[0068] The following is the method for judging the connection relationship of parts:

[0069]

[0070]

[0071] Specifically, refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 as an example of the conversion of one of the design models. Figure 4 The design model is on the left, and the converted 3D finite element rendering model is on the right.

[0072] That is to say, the key to the conversion of the Smart3D support and hanger model to the mechanical analysis model lies in the identification of the local coordinates of the parts. The local coordinates of the section steel determine the rotation direction of the section steel, thus affecting the mechanical properties.

[0073] In summary, the conversion method of the support and hanger computer-aided design model to the mechanical analysis model proposed by the present invention establishes at least one feature recognition point for each part in the Smart3D support and hanger parts library, obtains the local coordinate definition of the support and hanger parts by using the feature recognition point, then outputs and saves the obtained local coordinate definition of the support and hanger parts and the corresponding part structure information from Smart3D as a text file, and finally generates the mechanical model of the parts by using the text file and establishes the connection relationship between the units in the mechanical model to obtain a support and hanger model that can perform mechanical analysis.

[0074] The present invention completes the conversion of the Smart3D support and hanger model to the mechanical analysis model. The mechanical analysis model adopts a text format, which is conducive to importing various analysis software, is automatically completed by an algorithm, significantly improves the text quality, and reduces the time cost and labor cost.

[0075] The present invention also proposes a computer program product, including a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, it realizes the steps executed by the computer in the above method.

[0076] The present invention also proposes a computer-readable storage medium, having a computer program, and when the program is executed by a processor, it realizes the steps executed by the computer in the above method.

[0077] Refer to Figure 5 , the present invention also proposes a conversion system 900, including:

[0078] A memory 901 capable of storing instructions executable by a processor;

[0079] A processor 902 capable of executing instructions to implement the steps performed by a computer in the method as described above.

[0080] The various illustrative logical modules and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented or executed with a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors cooperating with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0081] The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. The software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read from, and write to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integrated into the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a user terminal.

[0082] In one or more exemplary embodiments, the described functionality may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software as a computer program product, the functions may be stored on or transmitted via a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or code. The computer-readable medium includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. The storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a web site, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. As used herein, disk and disc include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc, where disks typically reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0083] Although this application is disclosed above in preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit this application. Any person skilled in the art can make possible changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Therefore, all modifications, equivalent changes and decorations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of this application without departing from the technical solution of this application shall fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A method for converting a computer-aided design model of a support and hanger to a mechanical analysis model, wherein the support and hanger comprises a plurality of support and hanger components, characterized in that: include: Step 1: In the support and hanger component library of the computer-aided design program, at least one feature identification point is established for each support and hanger component; Step 2, in a computer-aided design program, the support and hanger parts library is called to model the support and hanger to obtain a target support and hanger model; Step 3, obtaining the local coordinate definition of each hanger component according to the characteristic identification points of each hanger component in the target hanger model; Step 4: Output the acquired local coordinate definition of the support and hanger component and the corresponding component structure information from the computer-aided design program and save them as a text file; Step 5: Generate a mechanical model of the component according to the text file; Step 6: According to the mechanical model of each component, set the connection relationship between each component as the connection relationship between each unit in the target support and hanger mechanical model, and output the support and hanger model that can be used for mechanical analysis.

2. The method for converting a support and hanger computer-aided design model to a mechanical analysis model according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the step 1, in the support and hanger component library of the computer-aided design program, each component has at least one feature point when it is created, and the feature identification point is selected from the feature point of the corresponding component.

3. The method for converting a support and hanger computer-aided design model to a mechanical analysis model according to claim 2, characterized in that: The local coordinates of the support and hanger component in step 3 are defined as follows: the local coordinates of the component are defined using the local coordinate directions of the feature points.

4. The method for converting a support and hanger computer-aided design model to a mechanical analysis model according to claim 1, characterized in that: The text file in step 4 includes the structural information of all parts of the target support and hanger model; After obtaining the structural information of all the components of the target support and hanger model, an extraction step is also performed, including: Extract field information of all parts of the support and hanger from the structural information, and the field information includes: support and hanger number, whether it is steel section or steel plate, part number, part type, standard part specification, steel section specification, steel section length, material, part identification point name, part identification point coordinate X, part identification point coordinate Y, part identification point coordinate Z, component of the local coordinate system of the part identification point-X axis on the global coordinate X axis, component of the local coordinate system of the part identification point-X axis on the global coordinate Y axis, component of the local coordinate system of the part identification point-X axis on the global coordinate Z axis, component of the local coordinate system of the part identification point-Y axis on the global coordinate X axis, component of the local coordinate system of the part identification point-Y axis on the global coordinate Y axis, component of the local coordinate system of the part identification point-Y axis on the global coordinate Z axis, component of the local coordinate system of the part identification point-Z axis on the global coordinate X axis, component of the local coordinate system of the part identification point-Z axis on the global coordinate Y axis, component of the local coordinate system of the part identification point-Z axis on the global coordinate Z axis.

5. The method for converting a support and hanger computer-aided design model to a mechanical analysis model according to claim 4, characterized in that: In step 4, for a combination of multiple support and hanger models, including a target main support and hanger model and a target sub-support and hanger model, structural information of support and hanger components included in the target main support and hanger, and structural information of support and hanger components included in the target sub-support and hanger are extracted from the text file.

6. The method for converting a support and hanger computer-aided design model to a mechanical analysis model according to claim 4, characterized in that: In the step 5, the field information extracted from the text file is matched with the parameters of the mechanical model, and then a beam model of the component is established; wherein the beam model corresponds to the mechanical model.

7. The method for converting a support and hanger computer-aided design model to a mechanical analysis model according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step 6, the center lines of each unit in the mechanical model and the dimensions and positional relationships of the three-dimensional structure are identified through geometric vector calculations, and the contact between the units, the contact positions and the welding space are automatically determined. The eccentric and rigid units required for finite element analysis are generated, and then all the units in the mechanical model are connected into a support and hanger model that can be used for mechanical analysis.

8. A computer program product, characterized in that The method comprises a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps performed by a computer in the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: A computer program is provided, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps performed by a computer in the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. A conversion system, characterized in that: include: a memory capable of storing instructions executable by a processor; A processor capable of executing the instructions to implement the steps performed by a computer in the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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