Hi,
We have a scenario where we are inserting a spacer (13 mm thk) between 2 flanges by pulling the pipe (30" NB) on one side by 20 mm. I would like to calculate the effect of this pipe pull on the system during installation.

I have used a Cut long element of 20 mm long to simulate the cold pull and I have evaluated the displacements/loads and stresses on the system in the vicinity.

This evaluation is being done to verify if there is any need to remove the line stops and guides during this operation. Also to check if any part of the system is over stressed.

load case for this check is WNC+H+CS

some of the strain introduced will permanently remain in the system. Hence I plan to include the CS to all the operating cases as well (Ope+CS & OPE+OCC+CS) .

Can any one confirm if this is the right approach to perform this calculation in CII.

I believe your concept is correct. But why a 20 mm cut long when the actual spacer is 13 mm? Note that, because of uncertainty, B31.3 would have you go + and - 1/3 of your cut - this would have you running a cut long of both 8.7 mm AND 17.3 mm.
(You can enter the full cut long in your CAESAR II input and then specify ".67CS" and "1.33CS" in your load case definition.)

Hi,
Thanks dave for your reply . There are 2 scenarios here. First we pull the pipe by 20 mm and retain it at that position for about a week . We will place a special equipment over the existing flange pair where we create this gap .

We will insert a temporary spacer to isolate a part of the pipe.

The purpose of applying 20 mm CS is to evaluate the loads passed on to adjacent guides and line stops during this pulling operation.

While evaluating the operating loads (after this procedure is over) I intend to include a strain of 13 mm (same as spacer dim ). While doing this I will verify the 2 scenarios as you advised me .