Dear all
I have some confusion regarding to the new clip function in Pvelite 2009. I have a design project for a big pressure vessel which has a platform with 4 supporting legs and all the legs are welded to the shell of the vessel, I tried analysis the structure of the platform in Staadpro and then I tried to analysis the effect of the platform by applying all the reaction forces and moments on the shell. I input the all forces and moments by using the new clip functions and then compare the calculation the result of the skirt with the case without the platform, there seems no change of the calculation result. I wonder wether the clip function will affect the other vessel component(such as shell, end caps, skirt support or other components) calculation result, will the forces and moments applied on the clips transfer to the shells and other components?

Thanks