Hello,
Could someone please indicate me how CAESAR calculate the stiffness of various tee connections (unreinforced, reinforced, weldolet...)? Indicating only the crotch thickness (without the crotch radius) has changed the stress and force through the tee (even if the SIfs are in agreement with ASME B31.3). What are the parameters considered for the definition of stiffness?
Thanks a lot,
Mat'

The Codes define the flexibility of tees as 1.0 - meaning rigid stiffness. Changing the crotch thickness may change the SIF, which would change the stress.

Dear Richard.

Thanks for your answer. However I still have some questions regarding the stiffness matrix used for the various types of tee element (unreinforced, welding...). The loads on neighbouring nozzles change if indicating unreinforced or welding type tee, which makes me thinking that the stiffness is not the same. Could you please confirm? Where could I find information on the stiffness matrix of each type of tee if different?

Then considering a welding tee, I do not get the same nozzle load close to the tee if precising the crotch thickness or not. I do not indicate the crotch radius as not premised in my piping specification, therefore SIFs are in accordance with ASME (3.3*T/r). Could you please explain me where the crotchT information is used for stiffness calculation?

Thanks a lot for your help!

Mathieu

There is no stiffness matric for a tee. In a "Beam Element (Pipe Flexibility)" program, 3 beams frame into the same point. There are rigid connections at this point, unless you define a stiffness (via a CNode).

Open a Support Request on eCustomer and send in your various job files.

Dear Mr Ay,
Thanks a lot for your explanations and support that close this topic.
Indeed, stiffness of various tees is in accordance with code and crotch thickness parameter does not change the stiffness of tee.
Best Regards,
Mathieu