WRT " which pad is what"

I suggest reading a good pipe support book before using expensive FEA.
A good browse through the Kelloggs manual will do wonders.
( and if anybody knows of a good book then Tell us all.)

I don't pretent to fully understand all the minutia of what goes on in a re-pad/pipe intersection, but i have a good idea of the basics and try to
apply common sense to any of the applications.

Hence i resist the urge to use wear pads as re-pads.......