Hybrid Beam-Shell Modeling for Special-Shaped Pipeline Sections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipeline calculation software lacks efficiency in creating shell element components for special-shaped pipe sections, requiring complex modeling and separate calculations, leading to low work efficiency and inaccurate results.

Innovation Solution

A mechanics calculation method and apparatus that generates a hybrid model by replacing pipe-beam elements with mesh models for special-shaped pipe sections, allowing simultaneous calculation and assessment, improving efficiency and accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If shell element components are used for special-shaped pipe sections, then calculation accuracy is improved, but modeling complexity and work efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalculation accuracyVSAvoidmodeling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses pipe-beam element models as simplified copies or representations of the actual shell element components. Instead of directly modeling complex shell elements, the system creates equivalent pipe-beam element models that replicate the essential mechanical behavior and stress characteristics, thereby maintaining calculation accuracy while dramatically reducing modeling complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms shell element components into pipe-beam elements by changing the modeling parameters and element types. This parameter transformation allows the system to work with simplified beam element parameters rather than complex shell element parameters, resolving the contradiction between accuracy and complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If shell element components are used for special-shaped pipe sections, then calculation accuracy is improved, but work efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalculation accuracyVSAvoidwork efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By using pipe-beam element models as copies of shell element behavior, the system achieves accurate stress and displacement calculations without the computational overhead and modeling complexity of actual shell elements, thereby improving work efficiency while maintaining calculation accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the pipeline model into different element types: pipe-beam elements for most sections and shell elements only where absolutely necessary. This segmentation allows the majority of the model to use efficient beam elements while maintaining accuracy in critical areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If separate calculation methods are used for pipeline and device, then calculation process is simplified, but integration and coordination deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalculation process simplicityVSAvoidintegration capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the pipeline calculation model and device calculation model into an integrated system. By using pipe-beam elements that can represent both pipeline components and device components uniformly, the system combines previously separate calculation processes into a unified framework, improving integration capability while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4625237A1Mechanical calculation method and apparatus for pipeline having special-shaped pipe section, and analysis method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 CHINA NUCLEAR POWER ENGINEERING CO LTD
  • EP4625237A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4625237A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4625237A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a mechanics calculation method and apparatus for a pipeline having a special-shaped pipe section. The method includes: generating, according to parameter information all components in the pipeline, a pipe-beam model formed by connecting a plurality of pipe-beam elements; acquiring meshing information of a special-shaped pipe section requiring detailed analysis, and node information of the special-shaped pipe section in the pipe-beam model; generating a mesh model of a special-shaped pipe section formed by joining a plurality of shell elements; replacing, with the mesh model of the special-shaped pipe section, a pipe-beam element at a corresponding position in the pipe-beam model to form a hybrid model; calculating a material density of the special-shaped pipe section to replace a linear density in the parameter information of the special-shaped pipe section, so as to form updated parameter information of the special-shaped pipe section; performing finite element calculation on the hybrid model to obtain a displacement of each node of the hybrid model; and then respectively calculating stresses of the pipe-beam elements and a target shell component. According to the method, calculation and assessment of the pipeline and the special-shaped pipe shell component can be completed in one pass, thereby greatly improving the efficiency and accuracy of pipeline design.