What is B31J Essentials?
B31J Essentials provides a set of calculations for revised SIFs and flexibility factors, as defined in the upcoming revision to ASME B31J. By using these revised SIFs and flexibilities, your stress analyses produce more accurate results. B31J Essentials provides the “more applicable data” referenced in recent editions of the piping codes. Note: B31J Essentials is a subset of FEATools. Therefore, if you currently have purchased and installed FEATools (Version 3.0), you do not need to install B31J Essentials.

How can I get B31J Essentials?
If you are current on CAESAR II maintenance and have installed CAESAR II 2017 (v.9.00), you can download the B31J Essentials installer from Intergraph Smart Support. Note: For B31J Essentials to run, you must install CAESAR II 2017 Hot Fix 2 over CAESAR II 2017 (v.9.00).

How does CAESAR II 2017 implement B31J Essentials?
B31J Essentials is FEATools (Version 3.0), but limited to only the B31J calculations (for SIFs and Flexibilities). You can access the B31J calculations by selecting the FEA Translation option from the CAESAR II Main Menu. The software starts FEATools, which provides the B31J computations for the translated CAESAR II model.

What is the difference between FEATools and B31J Essentials?
For the B31J computations, there is no difference. The fully-licensed FEATools software also provides a complete FEA analysis of tees, laterals, and bends, as well as support design and local component evaluation.

For more information on FEATools, click here.